Which of the following specimen types/body sites should be screened for quality using the presence of squamous epithelial cells?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Squamous epithelial cells are indicators of potential contamination by normal skin flora or saliva, especially in sputum samples, where their presence suggests oral contamination. For skin wounds, especially when anaerobic culture is considered, the presence of squamous epithelial cells can also indicate surface contamination. Therefore, both specimen types should be screened for quality using the presence of squamous epithelial cells to ensure the sample represents the site of infection accurately.

Which of the Following Specimen Types/body Sites Should Be Screened