What should a nurse offer to a client who has just returned to the unit following a bronchoscopy?

After a bronchoscopy, it's important to provide appropriate care to the patient as they recover from the procedure. The correct choice of oral fluids is significant because, post-bronchoscopy, a client may experience temporary numbness in the throat due to the local anesthetic used during the procedure. Offering oral fluids is a safe option as it allows the client to slowly reintroduce hydration without the risk of choking or aspiration.

Furthermore, starting with oral fluids can help assess the client's ability to swallow and their overall readiness to progress to more substantial nourishment. It is crucial to ensure that the client can tolerate these fluids before moving on to more solid foods or larger quantities. Re-establishing hydration is vital for recovery after any procedure that involves airway management, making offering oral fluids the appropriate choice in this context.