Verification of ETT Placement
· Following intubation, the presence of a waveform with all four phases indicates the ETT is through the vocal cords
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A flatline waveform will generally indicate esophageal placement
A flatline waveform will generally indicate esophageal placement
When capnography provides a waveform for an intubated patient in cardiac arrest, the ETT can be assumed to be within the trachea. An absent (flatline) waveform may indicate esophageal placement or tracheal placement with complete circulatory failure.