What is a therapeutic indication for a bronchoscopy?

A bronchoscopy is an important procedure that allows for direct visualization of the airways and can serve several therapeutic purposes. One of the therapeutic indications for performing a bronchoscopy is to remove a foreign body lodged in the trachea.

When a foreign body is inhaled, it can obstruct airways, leading to potential respiratory distress or even failure. The bronchoscope, which is a flexible tube equipped with a camera and tools, allows healthcare providers to access the trachea and bronchi directly. This enables them to visualize the obstruction, grasp the foreign object, and extract it safely from the airway. Prompt removal of a foreign body is vital to restore normal breathing and prevent complications such as infection, inflammation, or long-term airway damage.

The other choices address diagnostic or assessment purposes that, while important, do not fall under the therapeutic category that bronchoscopy serves in this particular context. Therefore, this highlights the bronchoscopy’s role in delivering immediate therapeutic intervention, specifically in emergencies involving airway obstruction.