Final answer:
C) Auscultate the lungs for symmetrical lung sounds. The best initial action by the nurse to verify correct placement of an endotracheal tube is to auscultate the lungs for symmetrical lung sounds. This is done before other methods like ABG sampling, observation for abdominal distention, or X-ray, which are subsequent steps in the confirmation process.
Step-by-step explanation:
To verify the correct placement of an endotracheal tube (ET) after insertion, the best initial action by the nurse is to auscultate the lungs for symmetrical lung sounds. Auscultation of the lungs would indicate whether air is entering both lungs evenly, which is essential for confirming that the tube is placed in the trachea rather than the esophagus or one of the main bronchi. Performing this check first can avoid the complications associated with improper placement of the ET tube, such as one-lung ventilation or gastric insufflation.Other methods, such as obtaining an arterial blood gas (ABG) sample, observing for abdominal distention, or asking for a portable X-ray, although important, are usually subsequent steps following initial clinical assessment by auscultation.
These methods provide further confirmation of correct tube placement but are not the immediate action to be taken following ET tube placement.The best initial action by the nurse to verify the correct placement of an endotracheal tube (ET) after insertion is to auscultate the lungs for symmetrical lung sounds. This involves using a stethoscope to listen for breath sounds on both sides of the chest. If the tube is correctly placed in the trachea, the nurse should hear equal and clear breath sounds on both sides. If there is a discrepancy, further assessment and intervention may be necessary.