How can you confirm correct endotracheal tube placement immediately after intubation?

Confirming correct endotracheal tube placement immediately after intubation is crucial to ensure that the airway is secure and that the patient is receiving adequate ventilation. Checking for bilateral breath sounds and observing chest rise are key components in this confirmation process.

When the tube is correctly placed in the trachea, air will be able to flow through the tube into both lungs, resulting in equal breath sounds being heard on both sides of the chest. Additionally, observing the chest rise is an important visual cue; it indicates that the ventilations are effectively entering the lungs and that the tube is not placed in the esophagus.

Utilizing these two methods together provides immediate and practical feedback on whether the tube is correctly positioned, thus ensuring the patient's safety and effective ventilation.