An appropriate technique for the nurse to tell the patient to implement before obtaining a sputum specimen is to:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If patient has a surgical incision or localized area of discomfort,have the patient place hands firmly over affected area,or place a pillow over area.Splinting of painful area minimizes muscular stretching and discomfort during coughing and thus makes cough more productive.
Patient should not use mouthwash or toothpaste because it may decrease viability of microorganisms and culture results.Have the patient wait 1 to 2 hours after eating.After a series of deep breaths,ask the patient to cough after full inhalation.

An Appropriate Technique for the Nurse to Tell the Patient