What is an effective method for confirming endotracheal tube placement?

Auscultation of breath sounds and capnography is widely recognized as an effective method for confirming endotracheal tube placement. By auscultating breath sounds bilaterally over the chest, a clinician can assess whether air is moving in and out of the lungs, indicating that the tube is correctly positioned in the trachea and not in the esophagus or a bronchus. Additionally, capnography measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in exhaled air, providing real-time feedback on ventilation. When the endotracheal tube is placed correctly in the trachea, the first breath exhaled should show a measurable level of CO2, confirming proper placement.

Other methods, while informative, do not provide the same level of assurance. Observing chest rise and fall alone can suggest that the tube is in the right location but does not guarantee correct placement as it may indicate incorrect placement or inadequate ventilation without further confirmation. Using a pulse oximeter can help monitor oxygen saturation but does not specifically confirm tube placement. Visual inspection of the tube's positioning can indicate whether the tube is in the mouth or nose but does not confirm that it is properly placed within the airway.