In a trauma patient, correct placement of an endotracheal (ET) tube should be confirmed by which method as the gold standard?

Correct option is C

Capnography (end-tidal CO₂ monitoring) is the gold standard to confirm tracheal intubation, as chest rise and auscultation can be misleading in trauma patients.
Explanation of options: (a) ✘ Chest auscultation is supportive but not definitive. (b) ✘ Chest rise may occur with esophageal intubation (gastric inflation). (c) ✔ Correct; capnography is the most reliable confirmation. (d) ✘ Fogging can occur in esophageal intubation also.