When you get home, take it easy for the rest of the day. You should be able to go back to work the next morning.

If you had a sedative injection before your test, there are some extra precautions to take:

• Ask a responsible adult, with transport, to take you home.

• Don’t drive, operate machinery or drink alcohol for 24 hours.

• Don’t make important decisions (for example, signing papers) for 24 hours.

• If you live alone, you may like to ask someone to stay the night with you. Alternatively, your doctor may suggest that you stay in hospital overnight.

After-effects

You may have a slight nose bleed after the test – or you may notice some blood in your phlegm. This is normal, and it will usually settle within 24 hours.

Your throat may be a little sore, and you may have a hoarse voice. This should ease within a day or two.

Are there any risks?

Bronchoscopy is a safe test, but there is always a small risk with procedures of this kind. A few patients bleed from the place where the tissue samples were taken. Some patients get infections.

Major complications after a bronchoscopy are rare (less than one case in every thousand).

When will I get the results?

A copy of the results will go to the person who sent you for the test (usually your GP or hospital doctor).

Your doctor will arrange an appointment so that you can talk about the test results a few days later. If you don't have a date for this, please ask.

Where can I get more information?

Remember, your doctors and nurses are here to help you. If you have any questions about your symptoms or your bronchoscopy, don’t be afraid to ask.