PREPARATION OF SPUTUM SMEAR – Sputum, Purpose of Sputum Examination, General Instructions and Procedure (COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING)
UPDATED 2024
A smear is prepared in a clean slide, spread with thin film of the material to be examined. In bacteriology, material spread on a surface as a microscopic slide
SPUTUM
Sputum is material from the mucous lining of the bronchial tubes and trachea. Its consistency varies from a thin, watery fluid to thick, purulent material, and it has a Ph of 6.6 to 7.1
PURPOSE OF SPUTUM EXAMINATION
An examination of sputum is made chiefly to reveal the presence of bacteria. Bacteria commonly looked for in sputum include those that cause tuberculosis or pneumonia
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
- The most favorable time to collect a sputum specimen is early in the morning to avoid having food particles mixed with it
- There is more sputum in the morning because it has not been coughed up during the night
- The container most commonly used for the collection is a disposable plastic cup
- If the sputum is not examined at once, sputum is kept at room temperature until it can be examined
- Instruct the patient to wash the mouth with plain water few minutes before taking the specimen
- Totally 3 consecutive specimens should be taken, spot smear A- 1st day, early morning B-2nd day and spot smear on next day C-3rd day
PROCEDURE
- A 24 hours sample is better if not overnight sputum in a clean container
- Select a new unscratched slide using a broomstick
- Spread sputum on the slide using a broomstick
- Allow the slide to air dry for 15-30 seconds
- Fix the slide by passing it over the flame of spirit lamp
- The slide may be wrapped in clean paper and sent to the primary health center along with the request
