Abstract: An improved patient feeding tube (10) is provided which includes an elongated, tubular body (22) presenting a distal end (14) adapted to be inserted into the patient, and a proximal portion (16) designed to remain outside of the patient. The tube (10) is equipped with a fixture (26) adjacent the proximal end (18) thereof, with the fixture (26) permitting attachment of a CO2 detecting machine (20) to the tube (10). In use, the machine (20) is actuated during insertion of the feed tube (10). If during such insertion, the distal end (14) enters the trachea (62) of the patient (12), the presence of CO2 adjacent the end (14) will be immediately detected. The user may then withdraw the end (14) and reinsert until proper placement within the esophagus (60) of the patient (12) is achieved. The use of feed tube (10) thus minimizes the possibility that distal end (14) will be improperly placed within the patient (12).