After a bronchoscopy, which complication should the nurse closely monitor for?

The correct focus for monitoring after a bronchoscopy should include the risk of hemorrhage. During a bronchoscopy, the airway may be manipulated or biopsies taken from lung tissue, which can lead to bleeding at the site. If bleeding occurs, it might not be immediately noticeable, but it can be serious and lead to significant complications such as airway obstruction or respiratory distress.

While dysrhythmias can occur due to changes in oxygenation or response to sedation, they are typically not a direct complication of the procedure itself. Pneumothorax, although a potential complication of procedures involving lung manipulation, is less common after bronchoscopy since the procedure primarily deals with the airways and not the pleura. Infection can also be a concern, especially with procedures involving the airway, but it generally develops over time rather than immediately following bronchoscopy. Therefore, close monitoring for hemorrhage is critical in the immediate post-procedural period to ensure patient safety and timely intervention if needed.