Question

A phlebotomy technician is planning to collect a sputum specimen from a patient. Which of the following instructions should the technician give the patient?

A) Rinse your mouth with mouthwash before we collect the specimen.

B) Gargle some water before we collect the specimen.

C) Leave your dentures in during specimen collection.

D) Breathe deeply and then cough up a specimen into the container.

Answer 1

The correct instruction a phlebotomy technician should give for collecting a sputum specimen is to breathe deeply and then cough up a specimen into the container.

Step-by-step explanation:

When instructing a patient on how to collect a sputum specimen, a phlebotomy technician should provide clear and concise instructions to ensure the sample is uncontaminated and useful for diagnostic purposes. Of the options provided, the correct instruction the technician should give is: D) Breathe deeply and then cough up a specimen into the container.

This method is vital as it helps to obtain a sample from deep within the lungs, which is more indicative of lung health than saliva or oropharyngeal contents. Additionally, the technician should ensure that proper aseptic techniques are followed to avoid contamination of the sample. Instructions regarding rinsing the mouth, keeping dentures in, or using mouthwash are not recommended as they could potentially contaminate the specimen or dilute the sputum.