Which of the following would constitute a therapeutic use of a flexible bronchoscope?

The therapeutic use of a flexible bronchoscope encompasses a variety of medical interventions aimed at managing or treating airway conditions. The correct answer relates to the removal of a large food particle from the airway, which is a clear example of a therapeutic procedure. In this situation, a flexible bronchoscope is employed to visualize the airway directly and perform interventions such as the removal of obstructions, making it a vital tool in emergency situations involving airway blockages.

Using a flexible bronchoscope for this purpose is particularly advantageous since it allows clinicians to safely and effectively clear the airway without requiring more invasive surgical techniques. Immediate airway management is crucial, and a flexible bronchoscope is designed specifically for such interventions to restore patency of the airway.

In contrast, extracting tracheal tissue for biopsy, determining the presence of mucus plugs, and locating an aspirated foreign body are often diagnostic in nature rather than therapeutic interventions. These actions primarily aim to gather information or confirm a diagnosis, rather than to treat an immediate obstruction or crisis. While they do involve the use of a bronchoscope, they do not exemplify therapeutic uses in the way that removing a large particle does. Thus, the act of physically removing a blockage to restore respiratory function is distinctly classified as a therapeutic