What complication should a nurse closely monitor for following a bronchoscopy?

Following a bronchoscopy, one of the key complications to monitor for is a pneumothorax. This procedure involves the insertion of a bronchoscope into the airways, which can potentially lead to the perforation of lung tissue. If this occurs, air can escape from the lung into the pleural space, resulting in a pneumothorax.

Vigilance for this complication is crucial because it can lead to respiratory distress and requires prompt intervention, such as chest tube placement, to re-inflate the lung and restore normal breathing. Symptoms of a pneumothorax can include sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, so monitoring for these signs after the procedure is essential.

Although dysrhythmias can occur during the procedure due to sedation or airway manipulation, they are typically less common than pneumothorax. Severe coughing may also be expected after the procedure due to irritation of the airway, and hyperventilation could be a response to anxiety or discomfort but is not as critical a complication as pneumothorax. Hence, monitoring specifically for pneumothorax is paramount in the immediate post-procedure care of a patient who has undergone bronchoscopy.