Question

The nurse is caring for a client with TB. A sputum sample is ordered for the next 3 consecutive days. What time is it best for the nurse to schedule the collection of sputum?

a) at bedtime
b) before a meal
c) following breakfast
d) upon arising in the morning

Answer 1

The optimal time for a nurse to collect a sputum sample from a TB client is upon rising in the morning because it leads to a higher yield of lung secretions and less contamination risk.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best time for the nurse to schedule the collection of a sputum sample for a client with TB (tuberculosis) is d) upon arising in the morning. This is because secretions in the lungs build up overnight, leading to a higher yield of sputum when the patient first wakes up. Clearing these secretions is also beneficial for a proper sputum sample because they are less likely to be contaminated with food or other substances that could interfere with the test results.