What should be done in response to a sputum sample that has many epithelial cells in it?

a. Repeat Gram stain.
b. Sputum culture.
c. Sputum sensitivity.
d. Obtain new sputum sample.


ANS: D
Many epithelial cells indicate that the sample is merely saliva and should be discarded because it will not reflect the type of infection occurring in the lung.

Health Professions

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