A young adult is admitted to the emergency department after consuming an unknown quantity of drugs.
The patient is unresponsive, and an endotracheal tube (ETT) has been inserted.
What methods should the nurse use to confirm the correct placement of the ETT? Select all that apply.
Listen for bilateral breath sounds.
Verify a capillary refill time of less than 3 seconds.
Check that the ETT markings are between 22 and 26 cm at the teeth line.
Observe for symmetrical chest movement.
Arrange for a portable chest x-ray to confirm ETT location.
Correct Answer : A,C,D,E
Choice A rationale
Listening for bilateral breath sounds is a common method to confirm the correct placement of the ETT1. When the ETT is correctly placed, breath sounds should be heard equally on both sides of the chest.
Choice B rationale
Verifying a capillary refill time of less than 3 seconds is not directly related to confirming the placement of an ETT. Capillary refill time is often used to assess peripheral circulation and hydration status, not airway management.
Choice C rationale
Checking that the ETT markings are between 22 and 26 cm at the teeth line is another method to confirm correct ETT placement. These markings help ensure that the ETT is not too far into the trachea, which could cause one lung to be ventilated more than the other.
Choice D rationale
Observing for symmetrical chest movement is a visual confirmation of correct ETT placement. When the ETT is correctly placed, both sides of the chest should rise and fall equally with each breath.
Choice E rationale
Arranging for a portable chest x-ray is considered the gold standard for confirming ETT location. It provides a visual confirmation that the ETT is in the trachea and not in the esophagus.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Evaluating the integrity of the IV insertion site is important, but it does not directly address the patient’s complaint of pain at the right groin insertion site following a cardiac catheterization.
Choice B rationale
Encouraging the patient to take deep breaths can help with overall comfort and oxygenation, but it does not directly address the patient’s complaint of pain at the right groin insertion site following a cardiac catheterization.
Choice C rationale
Assessing distal lower extremity capillary refill can provide information about the patient’s overall circulation, but it does not directly address the patient’s complaint of pain at the right groin insertion site following a cardiac catheterization.
Choice D rationale
Inspecting the femoral site for hematoma formation is the most appropriate action in response to the patient’s complaint of pain at the right groin insertion site after a cardiac catheterization. Hematoma formation is a potential complication of this procedure and can lead to further complications if not addressed promptly. Ulcerative colitisUlcerative colitis Explore
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
The right foot being cool to the touch and appearing pale and blanched is a classic sign of arterial obstruction. After a cardiac catheterization via the right femoral artery, it’s possible that a clot or other obstruction could have formed, impeding blood flow to the right foot. This would cause the foot to become cool and pale due to lack of warm, oxygenated blood.
Choice B rationale
While a moist and oozing pressure dressing at the right femoral area could indicate a problem such as bleeding from the catheter insertion site, it does not specifically indicate arterial obstruction.
Choice C rationale
A downward trend in blood pressure and a rapid, irregular pulse could indicate many different problems, including shock, heart failure, or arrhythmias. However, these symptoms are not specific to arterial obstruction.
Choice D rationale
A weaker pulse distal to the femoral artery on the left foot compared to the right foot could indicate a problem with circulation to the left foot, but it does not indicate an obstruction in the right femoral artery.
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