Which X-ray finding is most likely associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)?

The X-ray finding most likely associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is characterized by a cystic, bubbly appearance with hyperinflation. This reflects the chronic lung pathology seen in infants who experience BPD, which primarily occurs due to mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy in preterm infants.

In BPD, the lung parenchyma undergoes changes such as injury to the alveoli and inflammation, leading to the formation of cystic spaces that can give the lungs a bubbly appearance on X-rays. Hyperinflation can occur due to the air trapping in the damaged alveolar structures, further contributing to the abnormal lung appearance seen on imaging.

This understanding of BPD is critical for neonatal intensive care nurses when assessing respiratory status and planning appropriate interventions for affected infants. The presence of increased vascular markings or consolidation would be more suggestive of other lung conditions, such as pneumonia or fluid overload, while normal lung fields would typically indicate healthy lung status, which is not the case in BPD. Thus, the characteristic cystic and hyperinflated findings on an X-ray are key indicators of the lung changes associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.