Caring for the Patient During Bedside Bronchoscopy in the Critical Care Setting

Background: Bedside bronchoscopy is a pivotal diagnostic and therapeutic tool often used with critically ill patients in the critical care setting. Bronchoscopy allows for direct visualization of the airways and lung parenchyma and can be useful in evaluating different bronchopulmonary diseases including foreign bodies, tumors, infectious and inflammatory conditions, airway stenosis, and bronchopulmonary hemorrhage. Objective: This article explores bedside bronchoscopy in critically ill patients. Covering key areas from preprocedure preparation care, it emphasizes the nurse's role, procedural techniques, and adaptations. The focus extends to nurses' roles with emerging bedside bronchoscopy technologies and provides insight on implications for clinical practice. Conclusion: Bedside bronchoscopy serves as a vital tool in critical care, enabling both diagnosis and treatment of various pulmonary conditions. Nurses play a pivotal role in ensuring procedural success and patient safety, from preprocedure preparation to postprocedure monitoring. As technology evolves, nurses must adapt, embracing opportunities for ongoing learning and interdisciplinary collaboration, while also advocating for patient-centered care and ethical considerations in the integration of advanced technologies.