SAQ 447 – Anaesthetics – endotracheal tube confirmation and flat capnography

Review Completed

Marked out of 10.00

You have just intubated a 24-year-old man for airway protection after a significant benzodiazepine overdose. His vital signs are normal and he has no significant past history or known allergies.

List six (6) methods that can be used to confirm correct endotracheal tube placement.

(Marked out of 6.0)

/ 6

The capnography trace suddenly becomes flat with an end-tidal CO2 of zero. Outline four (4) explanations and the corrective action for each.

(Marked out of 4.0)
</p> <table class="saq-prop-table"> <thead> <tr> <th>Explanation</th> <th>Corrective action</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>1.</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>2.</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>3.</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>4.</td> <td></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>

/ 4

Total Score: 0 / 10

Percentage: 0%

Explanation	Corrective action
Cardiac arrest or profound low cardiac output	Start CPR, assess rhythm and treat reversible causes.
Oesophageal intubation	Visualise with laryngoscopy, remove the misplaced tube and reintubate after brief ventilation/oxygenation.
Ventilator, oxygen or capnography circuit disconnection	Check the circuit systematically from oxygen source to patient and capnography line, reconnect and confirm waveform returns.
Kinked or obstructed endotracheal tube	Suction the tube, reposition or withdraw slightly if appropriate, or replace the tube.

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