How do you collect a sputum sample?
Take a very deep breath and hold the air for 5 seconds. Slowly breathe out. Take another deep breath and cough hard until some sputum comes up into your mouth. Spit the sputum into the plastic cup.
How do you collect sputum by suction?
As the patient coughs, apply suction and gently withdraw the catheter. Limit the aspiration time to 15 seconds or less. Apply suction by placing the thumb of the nondominant hand over the suction port of the regular suction catheter or by depressing the suction button of the sleeved suction catheter.
When should a sputum specimen be collected?
Sputum specimens should be collected in the early morning if possible. Collect 3 sputum specimens on 3 consecutive days unless otherwise instructed. Specimens should be kept in the refrigerator until they are submitted to the laboratory.
How do you use a suction trap?
And advance it into the trachea as the patient coughs apply suction for five to ten seconds collecting two to ten milliliters of sputum. Then release the suction remove.
What is the ideal location for sputum collection?
When it’s time to cough, you should be inhaling so deeply that you feel it in your stomach area. bacteria in the sputum collected. mouth with a tissue and then put the other hand back on your stomach. feel it in your stomach.
Why is sputum collected in the morning?
Collection of early morning specimens is preferred because of the overnight accumulation of secretions; however, you may collect specimens at any time for patients who have a deep cough that is readily productive.
What is a sputum trap?
A sputum trap is connected to the suction catheter to collect the sputum (Fig 1) (Brekle, 2017). Obtaining sputum using suctioning requires specific skills and nurses need to be aware of potential side-effects, including hypoxia, cardiac instability and mucosal trauma (Dougherty and Lister, 2015).
How do you perform suctioning?
- Step 1: Gather the supplies.
- Step 2: Wash your hands.
- Step 3: Check portable suction equipment.
- Step 4: Place portable suction unit on a flat, dry and safe surface.
- Step 5: Set the suction pressure.
- Step 6: Pick up clean suction catheter.
- Step 7: Put on gloves.
- Step 8: Connect the tubing to the suction catheter.
Why is it best to collect sputum in the morning?
Collection of early morning specimens is preferred because of the overnight accumulation of secretions; however, you may collect specimens at any time for patients who have a deep cough that is readily productive. Collect sputum in a sterile container for processing and examination.
What is sputum suction?
Sputum suctioning is a routine clinical procedure that is crucial for keeping the airway open, to reduce the incidence of respiratory-tract infections. In most circumstances, a conventional catheter with a single-lumen channel is used for sputum suctioning.
What is a good quality sputum sample?
The quality of sputum samples is determined by the minimum number of squamous epithelial cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes per low power field. An acceptable specimen has more than 25 leukocytes and fewer than 10 epithelial cells per low power field.
What color is TB sputum?
Tuberculosis (TB)
If someone has TB, they may cough up green or bloody phlegm.
How long is sputum sample good for?
It is concluded that sputum should not be stored at room temperature for longer than 3 days for culture but it can be stored for 4 weeks without any loss of smear-positivity.
What is a specimen trap?
Mucus traps are used during Trach Cultures and is collected using a specimen trap. These traps are able to secure the specimen in order to be sent out for testing. While the collection methods are different, the traps work perfectly for gathering and testing.
How is sputum test done?
You will be asked to cough deeply and spit any phlegm that comes up from your lungs into a special container. The sample is sent to a lab. There, part of it is placed in a special dish (culture). It is then watched for two to three days or longer to see if bacteria or other disease-causing germs grow.
What are the 2 types of suctioning?
Nasal suction (suctioning in the nose) Oral suction (suctioning the mouth)
What is the best position for suctioning?
Position patient in semi-Fowler’s position with head turned to the side. This facilitates ease of suctioning. Unconscious patients should be in the lateral position.
Can I drink water before sputum collection?
Best time of day to collect sputum is when you first wake. Do not eat, drink or smoke before coughing up sputum from the lungs. Rinse (do not swallow) the mouth with water before sputum is collected to minimize residual food particles, mouthwash, or oral drugs that might contaminate the specimen.
What is the easiest way to release sputum?
Drinking plenty of fluids can help loosen the secretions and make it easier to cough up sputum. Your doctor may ask you to rinse out your mouth with clear water to help get rid of any other bacteria and extra saliva.
What is normal sputum color?
Clear sputum: Clear sputum is usually normal, although it may be increased in some lung diseases. White or gray sputum: White or grayish tinged sputum can also be normal, but may be present in increased amounts with some lung diseases or precede other color changes associated with other conditions.
What happens if sputum test is positive?
A sample of sputum is added to a substance that promotes the growth of bacteria. If no bacteria grow, the culture is negative. If bacteria grow, the culture is positive. If TB bacteria grow, then the person has tuberculosis.
What is abnormal sputum?
Definition. Abnormal appearance of material expectorated (coughed up) from the respiratory system and that is composed of mucus but may contain other substances such as pus, blood, microorganisms, and fibrin. [
Does a sputum sample need to be fresh?
If the sputum sample is obtained in the evening the sample should be kept in the fridge overnight to try and keep the sample fresh. Taking a sputum sample at times when you do not have an infection e.g. when you attend the clinic for a regular appointment, is also helpful for deciding your long term treatment.
What is mucus trap?
What is a sputum sample?
Sputum is the material that comes up from air passages when you cough deeply. A sputum sample is obtained by coughing deeply and expelling the material that comes from the lungs into a sterile cup. The sample is taken to a laboratory and placed in a medium under conditions that allow the organisms to grow.