Question

A phlebotomist is planning to collect a sputum specimen from a patient. What instruction should the phlebotomist give the patient?

Answer 1

A phlebotomist should instruct the patient to rinse their mouth, take deep breaths, cough deeply to produce sputum, and then expectorate the sputum into a sterile container without contamination. Proper labeling of the sample is also crucial.

Step-by-step explanation:

To collect a sputum specimen, a phlebotomist should provide the following instructions to the patient:

1. Rinse the mouth with water to clear it of food and other debris, but do not brush teeth or use mouthwash immediately prior to the test as it may affect the sample.
2. Take several deep breaths to help loosen respiratory secretions.
3. Cough deeply to bring up sputum from the lungs; a productive cough is needed as saliva is not sufficient.
4. Expectorate the sputum directly into the sterile collection container, making sure not to contaminate the inside of the container with hands or saliva.
5. Seal the container as instructed, ensuring it is properly labeled with the patient's details.

By following these steps, the phlebotomist ensures that an adequate and uncontaminated sample is obtained for analysis.