Question

Which of the following best describes the proper collection of a sputum specimen?

1) Collect the sputum specimen in a sterile container.
2) Instruct the patient to cough deeply and expectorate directly into the container.
3) Ensure that the specimen is free from saliva and other contaminants.
4) Label the container with the patient's name, date, and time of collection.

Answer 1

A sputum specimen must be collected in a sterile container by coughing deeply, ensuring it is free from saliva or contaminants, and it should be properly labeled with patient details for accurate diagnostic testing.

Step-by-step explanation:

The proper collection of a sputum specimen is crucial for accurate diagnostic testing. This process involves: 1) Collecting the sputum specimen into a sterile container to prevent contamination. 2) Instructing the patient to cough deeply and expectorate directly into the container, ensures that the sample comes from the lower respiratory tract rather than the oral cavity. 3) Ensuring the specimen is free from saliva and other contaminants, which otherwise could lead to inaccurate test results. Lastly, 4) Properly labeling the container with the patient's name, date, and time of collection, to ensure traceability and accuracy of the specimen's origin. These steps guarantee that the sample is suitable for examination and subsequent tests such as microscopic examination or culture methods to identify the presence of disease-causing organisms.