What device is best for confirming endotracheal tube placement?

The best device for confirming endotracheal tube placement is the capnometer or waveform capnography. This tool measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in expelled breath, providing real-time feedback on the presence of exhaled CO2, which is a definitive indicator that the tube is correctly placed in the trachea and not in the esophagus. The waveform representation also allows for visualization of the respiratory pattern, ensuring consistent monitoring of ventilation effectiveness.

While other methods, such as auscultation and pulse oximetry, can provide helpful information about the patient’s airway and oxygenation status, they do not offer the same level of specificity. Auscultation can help determine breath sounds over the lungs but cannot confirm tube placement; false positives or negatives could occur. Pulse oximeters measure oxygen saturation but are not designed to confirm airway placement and may not provide immediate feedback if the airway is not properly secured yet. A saturation monitor also tracks oxygen levels but lacks the ability to confirm correct tube positioning. Therefore, the capnometer or waveform capnography stands out as the most reliable method for ensuring that the airway is correctly established.