If the endotracheal tube is in the esophagus, how does the esophageal detector device respond?

If the endotracheal tube is in the esophagus, how does the esophageal detector device respond?

• A. The bulb inflates
• B. The bulb does not inflate
• C. The bulb changes color
• D. The bulb makes a sound

Answer: (B)

The Esophageal Detector Device works by testing for a patent airway. After squeezing and then releasing the bulb, inflation indicates air is moving through the tube into the lungs, which happens when the tube is in the trachea. If the tube is actually in the esophagus, there’s no airway to the lungs, so air can’t flow back to fill the bulb and it remains collapsed. Therefore, the bulb does not inflate.

The Esophageal Detector Device works by testing for a patent airway. After squeezing and then releasing the bulb, inflation indicates air is moving through the tube into the lungs, which happens when the tube is in the trachea. If the tube is actually in the esophagus, there’s no airway to the lungs, so air can’t flow back to fill the bulb and it remains collapsed. Therefore, the bulb does not inflate.