Which time would be ideal for the LPN/LVN to collect a sputum specimen?
At bedtime
In the morning
After meals
After start of antibiotics
The Correct Answer is B
B. Morning is considered the ideal time for collecting a sputum specimen. Overnight, mucus accumulates in the respiratory tract because the patient is less active and not clearing their throat or coughing as much. This means that the mucus is more concentrated and has had time to build up, providing a more substantial and representative sample of what is in the lungs.
A. Collecting a sputum specimen at bedtime is generally not ideal. By the end of the day, the patient’s respiratory tract might have cleared some of the accumulated mucus naturally through coughing or other activities.
C. Collecting a sputum specimen after meals is not recommended. Eating can introduce food particles and bacteria from the mouth into the sputum, contaminating the sample.
D. Starting antibiotics before collecting a sputum specimen can alter the bacterial flora present in the respiratory tract. This can lead to a false-negative result or an inaccurate representation of the pathogens causing the infection.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]
Explanation
A. Diminished breath sounds can occur in emphysema due to decreased air movement through damaged and enlarged air sacs (alveoli). The destruction of alveolar walls reduces the surface area available for gas exchange and can result in decreased breath sounds.
C. Patients with emphysema may use accessory muscles, such as neck and shoulder muscles, to assist with breathing during periods of respiratory distress. These muscles are recruited to help increase the size of the thoracic cavity and improve airflow.
E. A barrel-shaped chest is a common physical finding in patients with emphysema. It results from hyperinflation of the lungs and is characterized by an increased anterior-posterior diameter of the chest. This change in chest shape is due to air trapping in the lungs, leading to overinflation of the alveoli and increased residual volume.
B. Ruddy skin color, which refers to a reddish or flushed complexion, is not typically associated with emphysema. Instead, patients with emphysema may exhibit cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin) during periods of hypoxemia (low oxygen levels).
D. Excess mucus production (mucus hypersecretion) is a characteristic feature of chronic bronchitis, which is often present alongside emphysema in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but it is not typically a primary feature of emphysema itself.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
B. The alveoli are tiny air sacs within the lungs where gas exchange occurs. Oxygen from inhaled air diffuses across the thin walls of the alveoli into the bloodstream, while carbon dioxide moves from the bloodstream into the alveoli to be exhaled.
A. The bronchi are the main airways that branch off from the trachea and lead to the lungs. While the bronchi play a crucial role in conducting air to and from the lungs, gas exchange does not occur in the bronchi themselves.
C. The nasal passages, also known as the nostrils or nares, are the passages through which air enters the respiratory system. While the nasal passages warm, humidify, and filter the air as it enters the body, gas exchange does not occur in this area.
D. The larynx, or voice box, is located at the top of the trachea and is involved in breathing, swallowing, and vocalization. However, gas exchange does not occur in the larynx.

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