Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 78%
Simulated
After intubating a client, correct placement of the endotracheal tube (ETT) is confirmed with a chest x-ray. Which intervention should the nurse implement to ensure that the ETT placement is maintained?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
After proper ETT placement is confirmed with a chest x-ray, securing the tube with adhesive tape or a commercial ETT holder prevents displacement. Unintentional extubation or tube migration can lead to hypoxia, respiratory distress, or esophageal intubation, making proper tube fixation a priority intervention.