ET size HELP!

[dulexsidlex]

I have this adult patient, in DNR and GCS 7/15 state, to be trans-out to regular room on MV from the ICU. The patient was endorsed to me intubated from ER with no ET size indicated but only the level 2 shifts prior to my shift. How can I identify the ET size if it was inserted already and the ER doctor, who intubated, is not present to seek for answer? I endorsed the said patient with an ASSUMED ET size for adult....I know it's wrong but I'm trying my best not to do it again. I'm still fresh from being an ICU nurse.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

I agree that the ETT size needs to be appropriately documented on intubation as part of an invasive procedure ... but from then on it is a non-issue, IMO.

We dutifully pass on the size of an ETT from shift to shift in patients who have been intubated for days - why? The size of the tube does not change patient care, and even in the event of unplanned extubation there is no guarantee that the same size tube that just came out is what is going to go back in.

I just want to know where the tube is. If the previous nurse is reporting a measurement way different than what I'm seeing when I assess the patient, then that is a problem.