What is an indication that a successful intubation has occurred based on CO2 detection?

A successful intubation is indicated by the detection of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the patient’s exhaled breath, which confirms that the endotracheal tube is placed correctly in the trachea and not in the esophagus. The change in color to yellow typically signifies a positive reading for CO2, which occurs when the exhaled air contains carbon dioxide. This indicates that the air is coming from the lungs, confirming proper placement.

In the context of CO2 detectors used in clinical settings, the yellow color change reflects an adequate level of CO2, corroborating that ventilation is being successfully achieved through the intubated airway. The other color changes, such as blue or green, may indicate other conditions or incorrect placements, and a lack of any color change (no color change) could suggest that CO2 is not being detected, possibly indicating a failed intubation or that the tube is in the wrong position.