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What is the most reliable method for verifying endotracheal tube placement?

Pulse oximetry

End-tidal capnometry

The most reliable method for verifying endotracheal tube placement is through end-tidal capnometry. This technique involves measuring the concentration of carbon dioxide in exhaled air, which provides immediate confirmation of proper tube placement in the trachea, as carbon dioxide would not be detected if the tube is placed in the stomach or outside the patient's airway.

Pulse oximetry, while useful for measuring oxygen saturation, does not reliably indicate proper placement of an endotracheal tube, since it cannot differentiate between oxygenation from the trachea or other routes. Syringe aspiration can help assess the contents within the airway but does not clearly confirm the position of the tube either. Therefore, among the methods listed, end-tidal capnometry is superior for its ability to provide direct and immediate feedback on tube position.

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Syringe aspiration

None of the above

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