What should a nurse include in the care plan for a patient scheduled for a bronchoscopy?

A. Encourage fluid intake before the procedure: Patients must remain fasted to minimize the risk of aspiration during the procedure, especially since the gag reflex is often suppressed. Introducing fluids into the stomach increases the volume of potential aspirate if the patient vomits. This action would be contraindicated in the immediate preoperative phase. B. Instruct the patient to void after the procedure: While bladder management is part of general nursing care, it is not a specific requirement related to the mechanics of a bronchoscopy. Post-procedure priorities focus on respiratory monitoring and the return of the gag reflex. Voiding is a routine task that does not address the primary risks of this intervention. C. Ensure the patient is NPO prior to the procedure: Restricting oral intake (nothing by mouth) for 6 to 12 hours is essential to prevent pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents. Bronchoscopy involves sedation and local anesthesia to the throat, which temporarily obliterates protective airway reflexes. This is a critical safety intervention for any endoscopic respiratory procedure. D. Administer oral antibiotics as a prophylactic measure: Prophylactic antibiotics are not routinely indicated for a standard diagnostic bronchoscopy in the absence of specific risk factors. The procedure is performed under sterile or clean conditions, and the risk of induced systemic infection is low. Overuse of antibiotics in this context is not supported by guidelines.