EBUS (Endobronchial Ultrasound) Aftercare Instructions
A day-by-day recovery guide for ebus (endobronchial ultrasound): what to expect, how to care for yourself, and when to call. Free to read and print.
What to expect
Incentive Spirometer
- •Use every 1-2 hours while awake
- •Take a slow, deep breath; hold for 3-5 seconds
- •This is the single most important thing to prevent complications
No Smoking
- •Smoking dramatically slows lung healing
- •This is the best time to quit if you haven't already
- •Ask your care team about cessation resources
EBUS (Endobronchial Ultrasound) recovery, day by day
Breathing & Monitoring
- Mild sore throat and hoarse voice are normal for 1-2 days
- Do NOT eat or drink until your gag reflex returns (usually 1-2 hours)
- Use the incentive spirometer every 1-2 hours while awake (10 breaths each time)
- Cough and deep breathe regularly; splint your chest with a pillow if it hurts
Activity
- Rest for the day; resume normal activities tomorrow
- Avoid smoking; this is the most important thing for lung healing
- Keep head elevated to ease breathing
Lung Recovery
- Continue incentive spirometer faithfully (prevents pneumonia and collapse)
- Gradually increase walking distance each day
- Report any increasing shortness of breath
- Cough up mucus; do not suppress productive coughs
Continued Recovery
- Gradually resume normal activities
- Continue deep breathing exercises daily for 4-6 weeks
- Attend all follow-up appointments and imaging
- Report any persistent cough, fever, or breathing difficulty
When to call your provider or 911
- •Sudden severe shortness of breath
- •Coughing up blood (more than a teaspoon)
- •Chest pain that worsens with breathing
- •Fever above 101.5°F
- •Bluish color to lips or fingernails (cyanosis)
When in doubt, call your clinic. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Recovery milestones
- Day 2
Resume normal activity
Throat soreness resolves, results pending
- Day 14
Breathing improves
Lung function gradually improving with exercises
- Day 21
Expected recovery
Complete healing and return to normal activities
For clinics
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