Can an RN adjust an ETT?

[MurseER]

I work in the ER and we recently had a difficult intubation. The ETT had to be adjusted 2 cm and another RN took it upon himself to adjust it instead of the respiratory therapist. He adjusted without issue, but the RT had a temper tantrum and said it is outside of nurses' scope of practice to adjust ETT. Is this true? It's in Indiana and I can't find anything anywhere that specifies.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

Some RNs can insert ET tubes- they can obviously adjust them too. Even if the RN is certified by the hospital to adjust the ET tube I would bet that their policy would include having a physician or RT in attendance, not adjusting it without a second person present.

[MurseER]

That's exactly what I thought. The RT kept saying it's outside of our scope of practice (she's always saying stupid stuff like that and she's extremely alpha). Thank you.

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

Per our policy no we cannot adjust the ETT. We would have to ask the RT to do this. At other facilities RNs do the tube rotation, and adjustments. I would follow your facilities policy.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

At our facility we can after getting word from the fellow/NNP. We pull up the X-ray to take

a look before. Most of the time RT is busy so we just grab another nurse and do it. Check your policy.

[NurseMike911]

Best bet... Check with your ERs policy.

[VANurse2010]

This is a facility policy issue, not a scope of practice issue.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

I need more sleep. I read the thread title as "Can an RN adjust to an ETT" and thought the thread was going to be about weaning sedation on a vented nurse.