Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse (CCTN) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The practice of using airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) or positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) maneuvers following a bronchoscopy procedure is primarily aimed at minimizing the risk of aspiration of saline lavage used during the procedure. Initiating these maneuvers too soon after the bronchoscopy may not be beneficial because it can lead to complications associated with airway irritation or destabilization of the patient’s condition immediately after an invasive procedure.

Starting these strategies approximately 1 hour after the procedure allows adequate time for the completion of airway recovery and stabilization. At this interval, the majority of any residual effects from the bronchial lavage are minimized, thus reducing the risk of inadvertent aspiration. Additionally, this timing aligns with post-procedure monitoring and recovery protocols, where the patient can be adequately assessed before significant respiratory interventions are undertaken.

Furthermore, waiting 2 to 5 hours could result in unnecessary delays in providing support, particularly if respiratory issues manifest early after the procedure. Therefore, initiating APRV or PEEP maneuvers about 1 hour post-bronchoscopy strikes a balance between patient safety and the timely application of respiratory support to prevent complications.