What are the consequences to an incorrectly placed endotracheal tube?!
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The unoxygenated lung can collapse.
RN, I have seen it many times.
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Air in the stomach, possiblity of puncturing a lung, aspiration.
Death or brain damage from lack of oxygen can be the ultimate consequence if a misplaced ET tube is not quickly replaced correctly. A secondary problem to the misplaced tube is aspiration when the misplaced tube is pulled. Also, damage to the vocal cords is possible because the ET tube passes through the vocal cords down the airway to just above the corina. Another possible problem is a tracheal esophageal fistula..a hole in the wall of the trachea to the esophagus. Another problem is scar tissue in the trachea from the irritation of the ET tube and the cuff that is on the tube to seal any opening around the tube in the trachea.
Sometimes the ET tube goes down too far into the right lung, leaving the left lung without ventilation..listening to breath sounds usually helps to discover this problem so it can be corrected quickly..an xray is done immediately after intubation to check tube placement.
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