Question

The nurse is preparing a client for a bronchoscopy. While obtaining consent, the client complains of thirst and admits to drinking a small amount of orange juice two hours ago. What action should the nurse take?

Answer 1

The nurse should inform the medical team about the client's recent intake of fluid, as it could increase the risk of aspiration during the bronchoscopy. The team must confirm fasting status, client's identity, the procedure details, and any known allergies before proceeding.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should notify the physician or the medical team performing the bronchoscopy about the client's recent intake of orange juice. Consent for the procedure and understanding of the pre-procedure instructions, including fasting, are crucial for the safety of the client. The ingestion of fluids or food could increase the risk of aspiration during the bronchoscopy, which could be dangerous while the client is sedated. It is part of the standard pre-operative checklist to ensure that the patient has fasted for the appropriate amount of time before the procedure to minimize this risk.

As part of the safety protocol, team members, including the nurse and anesthesia professional, should also verbally confirm the client's identity, the procedure, and whether the client has any known allergies or other key concerns that might affect care during and after the bronchoscopy.