Which technique is best for verifying correct tube placement in advanced airway management?

Capnography is regarded as the best technique for verifying correct tube placement in advanced airway management because it directly measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in exhaled air. When an endotracheal tube is correctly placed in the trachea, capnography will show a consistent waveform and a measurable level of CO2 during exhalation, indicating that the tube is in the correct position. This real-time monitoring provides immediate feedback about airway placement, which is critical in emergency situations.

Visual inspection, while it may be a part of the verification process, does not provide definitive confirmation of tube placement. It can indicate whether the tube is in the airway, but it cannot assess ventilation efficiency or confirm proper placement beyond a visual assessment.

A chest X-ray can confirm tube placement but is not practical in a time-sensitive resuscitation scenario; it can take too long to obtain and interpret, delaying critical interventions. Likewise, pulse oximetry measures the oxygen saturation level in the blood. While it’s useful for monitoring the patient’s overall oxygenation status, it does not provide direct information about whether the endotracheal tube is placed in the trachea or esophagus.

Thus, capnography stands out as the most effective and immediate