Which assessment indicates proper airflow through an endotracheal tube?

The assessment that indicates proper airflow through an endotracheal tube is the presence of bilateral breath sounds upon auscultation. When the endotracheal tube is correctly placed in the trachea, air should flow evenly into both lungs during ventilation. Consequently, auscultating the lung fields should reveal breath sounds that are equal on both sides, indicating that air is being distributed adequately to both lungs.

Equal chest expansion is also a good indicator of ventilation; however, it does not provide direct assessment of airflow through the endotracheal tube itself. Visible endotracheal tube placement can confirm that the tube is in position, but without assessing breath sounds, it does not confirm effective ventilation. The patient's conscious response is a measure of their neurological status and may not directly reflect proper airflow through the tube, as a patient can be responsive even if ventilation is inadequate due to other issues, such as obstructions or improper tube positioning.