What is the main method for confirming correct placement of an endotracheal tube?

The main method for confirming correct placement of an endotracheal tube is the observation of bilateral breath sounds and chest rise. When the tube is properly positioned in the trachea, it allows for equal distribution of airflow to both lungs. The healthcare provider can assess this by auscultating the chest with a stethoscope, listening for air movement in both lung fields during inhalation and exhalation. Additionally, observing for symmetric chest rise during ventilation provides visual confirmation that air is entering both lungs effectively.

This method is essential for ensuring that the airway is secure and that the patient is ventilating adequately, which is crucial for effective respiratory support. Other techniques, such as checking for skin color changes or listening for wheezing sounds, do not provide reliable confirmation of tube placement, as they may be influenced by various factors that do not directly indicate proper endotracheal tube positioning. Measuring lung capacity is not a suitable method for confirming placement as it focuses on different respiratory parameters rather than immediate tube position confirmation.