CNA Certification (Written Exam)Basic Nursing SkillsMedium
A nurse aide is asked to obtain a sputum specimen. Which instruction is most appropriate for the nurse aide to give the resident?
- A“Collect the specimen first thing after you wake up, without brushing your teeth.”
- B“Rinse your mouth with mouthwash before coughing into the cup.”
- C“Please spit saliva into this cup.”
- D“Take several deep breaths and cough deeply from your lungs into the cup.”
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. “Take several deep breaths and cough deeply from your lungs into the cup.”
Sputum is mucus from the lungs, not saliva. To obtain a productive sputum specimen, the resident needs to cough deeply from the chest after taking deep breaths. This helps bring up secretions from the lower respiratory tract.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. While collecting first thing in the morning is often preferred, brushing teeth is acceptable and can reduce oral bacteria; the critical part is coughing deeply, not just waking up.
- B. Mouthwash can kill bacteria and alter test results; rinsing with water is acceptable, but not mouthwash.
- C. Saliva is not sputum and is not the desired specimen; it will not yield diagnostic results.
Sputum Specimen Collection
The process of collecting mucus (phlegm) from the lungs, usually by deep coughing, for laboratory analysis.
- Not saliva, but deep lung secretions
- Best collected first thing in the morning
- Resident should take deep breaths before coughing
- Avoid mouthwash before collection (water rinse okay)
- Use a sterile container
Memory trick: Deep breath, Deep cough, from the Lungs, for the Lab!