The nurse receives an order to obtain a sputum sample from a client with hemoptysis. When advising the client of the physician's order, the client states not being able to produce sputum

Question

Which suggestion, offered by the nurse, is helpful in producing the sputum sample? A) Tickle the back of the throat to produce the gag reflex.
B) Drink 8 oz of water to thin the secretions for expectoration.
C) Use the secretions present in the oral cavity.
D) Take deep breaths and cough forcefully.

Answer 1

D
Feedback:
Taking deep breaths moves air around the sputum and coughing forcefully moves the sputum up the respiratory tract. Once in the pharynx, the sputum can be expectorated into a specimen container. Producing a gag reflex elicits stomach contents and not respiratory sputum. Dilute and thinned secretions are not helpful in aiding expectoration. A sputum culture is not a component of oral secretions.