# Sputum Induction

## Overview

This module describes how to induce an adult or child to produce sputum if not obtainable through coughing.

## Indications

## Contraindications

## Patient information and consent

### How do I explain this procedure?

“I need to collect a sample of the fluid in your lungs, which usually is coughed up as sputum when you are ill. This is not the same as the normal spit in your mouth or the mucous in the back of your throat.”

### What can my patient expect?

“For this test, you will need to breathe in a mist of salty water that will help you to cough more effectively. It may make you feel nauseated or short of breath. Afterwards, the test results can take a few days or weeks to come out.”

### What is my patient’s role?

“Try to keep breathing in the mist; don’t take the mask off your face. When you’re asked to cough, try to cough even if you don’t feel like it. Try to spit out sputum from your throat, not just spit from your mouth. Tell me if you feel nauseated, dizzy, or short of breath.”

## Preparation

Prepare a trolley with equipment.

Work in an

area

area

Some institutions have sputum booths. Sputum production is an aerosol-producing activity, which may require PPE.

with good ventilation, away from other patients. Ideally, the patient should be fasted for 3 hours.

### Documentation

### Equipment

## Site & Positioning

Position the patient sitting up.

## Procedure

Follow medical asepsis with non-sterile gloves.

## Troubleshooting

My patient is a young child who is struggling to cough on command.

Use a suction device to suction mucous from the nasopharynx to expel into the specimen pot. If this is still unsuccessful, consider gastric washings for a very young child.

The sample is very watery and I think it is saliva.

Induced sputum samples are usually more watery than spontaneously produced sputum.

## Risks

## References