The nurse is caring for a patient who has just undergone bronchoscopy. The patient requests a drink of water. What is the nurse's best action?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Numbing medication is applied to the back of the throat just before bronchoscopy. This
may lead to swallowing difficulty and risk for aspiration until the gag reflex returns. The
nurse should keep patient NPO until swallow, gag, and cough reflexes have returned.
The nurse does not need to keep the patient NPO after the gag reflex returns so it should be checked in order to allow the patient to have fluids as soon as possible to relieve thirst.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Has Just