A client tells the nurse that he usually expectorates about 2 ounces of thin, clear, colorless sputum each day, mostly in the morning after getting out of bed. What is the nurse's initial action after gaining this information?
a. Ask the client to provide a morning spu-tum sample for laboratory analysis.
b. Obtain a specimen of the sputum in a ste-rile container for culture.
c. Monitor for an increase in sputum produc-tion or a change in color.
d. Notify the health care provider and pre-pare the client for possible bronchoscopy.
C
Sputum production is a normal function of the respiratory tract. Most healthy people produce about 90 mL of sputum/day. This sputum should be thin, clear, and odorless, and should have minimal or no color. The nurse's only action should be to monitor the client for an increase in sputum production or a change in color. It will not be necessary at this time to obtain a specimen for analysis or to prepare for a bronchoscopy.
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