N450 Case Studies
Case Study 94 (Small cell lung cancer)
1. What is fiberoptic bronchoscopy, and what information will fiberoptic bronchoscopy with endobronchial lung biopsy provide?
Bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows the doctor to directly visualize the interior passageways of the lower respiratory tract through a bronchoscope (a long, narrow, fiberoptic, lighted tube inserted through the nose or mouth). With the bronchoscope, the doctor can see the larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), bronchi (large airways to the lungs), and bronchioles (smaller branches of the bronchi). Is done when it is important to see the airways or to get samples of mucus or tissue from the lungs.
A bronchoscopy may be performed for diagnostic and/or therapeutic reasons. Diagnostic indications may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Tumors or bronchial cancer
Airway obstructions and/or strictures (narrowed areas)
Inflammation and infections such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, or fungal or parasitic lung infections
Interstitial pulmonary disease
Persistent cough or hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
Abnormal chest X-rays
Biopsy of tissue or collection of other specimens, such as sputum
Vocal cord paralysis
Bronchoalveolar lavage, or BAL (instilling fluid through the bronchoscope to aid in the diagnosis of certain lung disorders)
Therapeutic uses of bronchoscopy may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Removal of secretions, blood, mucus plugs, or polyps (growths) to clear airways
Control of bleeding in the bronchi
Removal of foreign objects or other obstructions
Laser therapy or brachytherapy (radiation treatment) for bronchial tumors
Stent placement (a device used to keep the airway open)
Drainage of an abscess, or a collection of pus
There may be other reasons for your doctor to recommend a bronchoscopy.
2. As the nurse who works with the pulmonologist, it is your responsibility to prepare C.P. for the fiberoptic bronchoscopy procedure. What would you include in your teaching
1. What is fiberoptic bronchoscopy, and what information will fiberoptic bronchoscopy with endobronchial lung biopsy provide?
Bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows the doctor to directly visualize the interior passageways of the lower respiratory tract through a bronchoscope (a long, narrow, fiberoptic, lighted tube inserted through the nose or mouth). With the bronchoscope, the doctor can see the larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), bronchi (large airways to the lungs), and bronchioles (smaller branches of the bronchi). Is done when it is important to see the airways or to get samples of mucus or tissue from the lungs.
A bronchoscopy may be performed for diagnostic and/or therapeutic reasons. Diagnostic indications may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Tumors or bronchial cancer
Airway obstructions and/or strictures (narrowed areas)
Inflammation and infections such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, or fungal or parasitic lung infections
Interstitial pulmonary disease
Persistent cough or hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
Abnormal chest X-rays
Biopsy of tissue or collection of other specimens, such as sputum
Vocal cord paralysis
Bronchoalveolar lavage, or BAL (instilling fluid through the bronchoscope to aid in the diagnosis of certain lung disorders)
Therapeutic uses of bronchoscopy may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Removal of secretions, blood, mucus plugs, or polyps (growths) to clear airways
Control of bleeding in the bronchi
Removal of foreign objects or other obstructions
Laser therapy or brachytherapy (radiation treatment) for bronchial tumors
Stent placement (a device used to keep the airway open)
Drainage of an abscess, or a collection of pus
There may be other reasons for your doctor to recommend a bronchoscopy.
2. As the nurse who works with the pulmonologist, it is your responsibility to prepare C.P. for the fiberoptic bronchoscopy procedure. What would you include in your teaching