A phlebotomist should instruct a patient to take which of the following actions when providing a sputum specimen?
Collect the stool directly into a sterile container.
Discard the first urine of the day and collect for 24 hours.
Aggressively swab the inside of the cheek.
Take a deep breath and then expectorate.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason:
Collecting stool directly into a sterile container is not related to providing a sputum specimen. Stool samples are collected for different types of tests, such as fecal occult blood tests or microbiological cultures, and are not used for respiratory assessments.
Choice B reason:
Discarding the first urine of the day and collecting for 24 hours is a procedure for a 24-hour urine collection test, which is used to assess kidney function and other conditions. This process is unrelated to sputum specimen collection, which is used to evaluate respiratory infections or conditions.
Choice C reason:
Aggressively swabbing the inside of the cheek is a method used to collect cells for DNA testing or to check for oral infections. This action does not pertain to sputum collection, which requires a sample from the lower respiratory tract.
Choice D reason:
Taking a deep breath and then expectorating (coughing up and spitting out) is the correct method for providing a sputum specimen. This technique ensures that the sputum comes from deep within the lungs, which is necessary for accurate analysis of respiratory pathogens or cells.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Wiping the site with clean gauze after applying antiseptic is not recommended. This action can remove the antiseptic before it has had sufficient time to disinfect the area, potentially reintroducing bacteria to the site and increasing the risk of contamination.
Choice B Reason:
Allowing the site to air dry after applying antiseptic is the appropriate technique. This ensures that the antiseptic has enough contact time to effectively reduce microbial flora on the skin. Air drying also prevents any potential irritation that might be caused by wiping or touching the site before the venipuncture.
Choice C Reason:
Blowing on the site to speed up drying is not an appropriate technique. This can introduce bacteria from the breath to the clean site, which could lead to contamination and increase the risk of infection.
Choice D Reason:
Waving hands over the site is not an appropriate technique either. This action could potentially contaminate the site with bacteria or particles from the skin or the environment. It is also less effective in ensuring that the antiseptic has dried completely.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
The evacuated tube system is designed for the collection of multiple blood specimens using interchangeable tubes. This system utilizes a double-pointed needle, one end of which goes into the patient's vein and the other into a vacuum tube. As the blood is drawn, it automatically fills the tube until the vacuum is exhausted. The phlebotomist can then easily replace the filled tube with another without removing the needle from the patient's vein, allowing for multiple samples to be taken during a single venipuncture.
Choice B Reason:
The hypodermic needle and syringe system is typically used for manual blood draws when the evacuated tube system is not suitable, such as with small or fragile veins. This system does not use interchangeable tubes; instead, the blood is drawn into a syringe and then transferred into the appropriate tubes, which can be time-consuming and increase the risk of hemolysis or contamination.
Choice C Reason:
A winged infusion set, also known as a butterfly needle, is often used for patients with difficult veins. Like the hypodermic needle and syringe system, it does not inherently allow for the use of interchangeable multi-sample tubes. Blood is collected into a syringe or a single tube attached to the butterfly needle, and changing tubes usually requires a new puncture for each sample.
Choice D Reason:
The lancet microcollection system is used for capillary blood collection, typically from a fingerstick or heelstick. It is used for small volume samples and does not accommodate interchangeable multi-sample tubes. This method is commonly used for pediatric patients or when only a small amount of blood is needed.

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.
