To verify the correct placement of an oral endotracheal tube (ET) after insertion, the best initial action by the nurse is to
a. auscultate for the presence of bilateral breath sounds.
b. obtain a portable chest x-ray to check tube placement.
c. observe the chest for symmetric chest movement with ventilation.
d. use an end-tidal CO2 monitor to check for placement in the trachea.
ANS: D
End-tidal CO2 monitors are currently recommended for rapid verification of ET placement. Auscultation for bilateral breath sounds and checking chest expansion are also used, but they are not as accurate as end-tidal CO2 monitoring. A chest x-ray confirms the placement but is done after the tube is secured.
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