What Are the Common Methods for Verifying Tube Placement?
There are several methods for verifying tube placement, each with its pros and cons. These include:
Radiographic Confirmation: Considered the gold standard, radiographic confirmation ensures accurate tube placement but involves exposure to radiation and may not be immediately available. Auscultation: Listening for air insufflation sounds over the stomach can indicate placement, but this method is less reliable and can yield false positives. pH Testing: Measuring the pH of aspirated gastric contents can help verify placement. Gastric fluids typically have a pH of less than 5.5. Visual Inspection: Observing the characteristics of aspirated fluid can offer clues. Gastric contents are usually greenish or clear, while respiratory secretions may be more frothy and white. Capnography: This method detects the presence of carbon dioxide and is useful in confirming that the tube is not placed in the airway.
