What is the purpose of checking the CO2 detector color during intubation?

The purpose of checking the CO2 detector color during intubation is primarily to ensure that the tube is properly placed in the trachea rather than in the esophagus. When the endotracheal tube is correctly positioned, the CO2 detector, which often contains a colorimetric indicator, will change color in the presence of carbon dioxide (CO2) exhaled by the patient. This color change confirms that the airway is patent and that the patient is receiving adequate ventilation.

If the tube were mistakenly placed in the esophagus, there would be little to no CO2 detected, and thus the color of the detector would not change as expected. This step is crucial in confirming tube placement and ensuring proper airway management during ventilation. Other options, such as monitoring blood pressure, assessing oxygen saturation, or determining heart rate, are important aspects of patient assessment but do not specifically relate to verifying the position of the endotracheal tube during intubation.