Complications of Bronchiectasis are all except?

SCTIMST Staff Nurse - 2016

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Medium

Appeared in: SCTIMST Staff Nurse - 2016

Explanation

Bronchogenic carcinoma is not a direct complication of bronchiectasis.
While chronic inflammation from bronchiectasis can cause cellular changes like squamous metaplasia, it is not typically cited as a direct cause of lung cancer.
More commonly, a bronchogenic carcinoma can obstruct an airway, leading to the development of localized (post-obstructive) bronchiectasis.
Therefore, bronchogenic carcinoma is a cause rather than a complication in this context.

Option A: Cerebral abscess is a known metastatic complication of bronchiectasis. The chronic suppurative lung infection can lead to septic emboli that travel to the brain.
Option B: Amyloidosis is a classic systemic complication of chronic inflammatory and infectious conditions like bronchiectasis. The persistent inflammation leads to the deposition of amyloid protein in various organs.
Option C: Lung abscess is a direct, local complication of bronchiectasis. The severe, necrotizing infection within the dilated airways can lead to the formation of a pus-filled cavity in the lung parenchyma.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Complications of Bronchiectasis as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses caring for patients with bronchiectasis must monitor for signs of complications, such as changes in neurological status (headache, confusion) which could indicate a cerebral abscess, or signs of renal dysfunction (proteinuria, edema) which could suggest amyloidosis.
A key nursing role is patient education on airway clearance techniques to reduce the frequency and severity of infections, thereby lowering the risk of these complications.
What if? If a patient with known bronchiectasis suddenly develops hemoptysis (coughing up blood), the nurse's priority is to assess airway patency and hemodynamic stability, as this could signal massive hemoptysis, another life-threatening complication, rather than a simple exacerbation.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the keywords in the question: 'Complications', 'Bronchiectasis', and the negative lead-in 'except'.
This 'except' format means you need to find the option that is NOT a complication of bronchiectasis.
Review each option and recall the pathophysiology of bronchiectasis (chronic infection and inflammation).
Evaluate Option A (Cerebral abscess): Chronic lung infection can lead to septic emboli. This is a plausible metastatic complication.
Evaluate Option B (Amyloidosis): Chronic inflammation is a known cause of secondary amyloidosis. This is a plausible systemic complication.
Evaluate Option C (Lung abscess): Severe, localized infection can lead to tissue necrosis and abscess formation. This is a plausible local complication.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Pathology-Vandana Puri & Kavita Gaur Textbook of Pathology and Genetics p. 170-172

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 2 p. 148-150

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 2 p. 446-448