What happens after bronchoscopy?

Your throat may feel scratchy, and you may cough or see a small streak of blood after the procedure, especially if a biopsy was taken. These effects should be discussed with the team before you leave. The clinician may explain what was seen in the airways, but tissue, fluid, or washings can take longer to analyse.

If sedation was used, alertness and coordination can remain affected after discharge. A responsible adult may need to take you home and stay with you according to the unit’s instructions.

Follow the written instructions about when to drink, eat, restart medicines, and return to normal activity. Until your team says it is safe, avoid driving, operating equipment, or making important decisions after sedation. Drink fluids if permitted and use only recommended remedies for throat discomfort.

Keep the follow-up appointment. Ask when biopsy or culture results are expected and how they will be shared. Results may guide further testing or treatment; a bronchoscopy alone does not always provide the final diagnosis.

Contact the bronchoscopy unit promptly for increasing breathlessness, chest pain, fever, worsening cough, or bleeding that is more than a small streak or does not settle. Seek emergency help for severe difficulty breathing, blue lips, fainting, confusion, or heavy bleeding.

Ask: What did you see during the examination? Were biopsies or samples taken? When should I expect results? Which medicines should I restart? What activity limits apply today, and who should I call overnight if symptoms worsen?