Sputum Specimen

Collection

Prepared by:
Dr. Herlie B. Ontoy
Sputum
A mucoid secretion from lungs,
bronchi, & trachea usually
thick, colored & tenacious
(sticky).
Sputum Exam
• Simple diagnostic tool for clients with signs & symptoms
of the upper respiratory or viral infections.

Purposes:
• Detect a positive culture from M. Tuberculosis
• Confirm the diagnosis of PTB
• Know an appropriate antimicrobial therapy that will be
given
Reason for collection:
• For culture & sensitivity

a. Culture = to determine what

particular microbes causes
infection

b. Sensitivity = to determine what drug that

the microbes is sensitive
It is characterized into:

Color / Color changer Color: Clear / White / Yellow / Green /

Blood streak/ Brown
Odor None / Foul odor

Consistency Frothy / Tenacious / Thick

Quantity Increase or Decrease production

Presence of blood Blood tinge/ Early morning / Bright or dark

red
NOTE:
• Usually in Morning (colorless)
Noon (Yellow)
Afternoon (Gray)

Sputum Contents:
1. Mucus
2. Cellular debris
3. Microorganism
4. Pus or Blood
 Sputum Color Analysis

Color: Mucoid It is a non-infective process

Cream Yellow Infected with Staphylococcus Pneumoniae

Green Pseudomonas Pneumoniae

Currant Jelly Klebsiella Pneumoniae

Rusky Pneumococcal Pneumoniae

Pink Frothy Pulmonary Edema

 Guidelines for sputum specimen
collection
1. Dehydrated patients may have difficulty producing sputum or may
have very tenacious sputum.
2. Collect specimen BEFORE MEALS (Breakfast).
3. Method of collection would depend upon patient’s condition
4. Observe universal precaution on infection control
5. Negative result does not rule out disease
6. If the client in antimicrobial treatment specimen result will be of
limited value
7. Drinking water can be helpful to loosen secretions or liquefy
Equipments needed:

1. Sterile specimen bottle/ caps or

tubes
2. Tissue papers
3. Mask & gloves
4. Glass of water
5. lab request form
Methods of collection
Expectoration >Obtain by coughing

USN / Saline induced >Collect after nebulization through back clapping

>Designed for patient who are dehydrated

Tracheal Suctioning >Instill NSS and by ambu bagging, the NSS will mix with the
secretion & suction immediately

Bronchoscopic Removal >Through the use of bronchoscope

Transtracheal Aspiration >Needed syringe & a needle which will aspirate directly on
the tracheal part

Gastric Aspiration
 Procedure:
1. Explain to the patient the purpose, necessity To promote cooperation
of the sputum examination

2. Explain the need for a sputum specimen, Proper specimen will be obtained. To avoid
patient should cough up from the back of the unnecessary exhaustion by frequent
throat to the lungs coughing

3. Don gloves and mask To avoid direct contact with the sputum

4. Have a sterile specimen container ready for Use of sterile cap will prevent
the specimen & tissue paper at hand contamination especially for CS

5. Have the client take several deep To prevent contamination of the

breathes and then cough deeply specimen
6. Have the client expectorate the sputum into the To prevent contamination of the specimen
sterile cup without touching the inside of the cup

7. Place the lid or cover the specimen container To prevent contamination of the specimen and
without touching the inside protect the nurse

8. Offer mouth wash and tissue paper To remove unpleasant taste and promote patient
to comfort

9. Do after care and wash hands It reduces the transmission of microorganism

10. Label specimen (patient’s For proper identification

name, age, gender)
11. Send the specimen Any delay would cause any
immediately to the contaminating organisms to
laboratory grow, multiply and alter
results

12. Document at the Proper documentation will

patient’s charts and avoid repetition
kardex
End