Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia

Abstract

Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is a diffuse infiltrative pulmonary disorder that has an insidious onset. The patient often presents with flu-like symptoms and radiological findings showing bilateral patchy infiltrates. Histological features show fibromyxoid connective tissue plugs that are evenly spaced in small distal airways and alveolar spaces. Treatment for BOOP is corticosteroid therapy. Critical care nurses must be cognizant of BOOP as a differential diagnosis for patients for whom antibiotic therapy has not resolved symptoms.