A nurse is ordered to collect a sputum specimen from a client. The nurse instructs the client to cough up the sputum to obtain the most accurate result. What is the rationale for such an instruction?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Collecting a sputum specimen by having the client cough it up ensures that the sample comes directly from the lungs, where many respiratory pathogens reside, providing a more accurate diagnosis.

A Nurse Is Ordered to Collect a Sputum Specimen from a Client