Respiratory- Common PC Sputum

Question 1

Sputum Facts

Answer 1

• in disease, the accumulation of inflammatory cells, mucus and secretions in the airway results in cough and exportation
• in acute and chronic airway infection the characteristics of sputum help to clarify the pathology

Question 2

Sputum colour

Answer 2

• clear: COPD/bronchiectasis without infection
• yellow: LRTI/ asthma
• green: current infection- acute disease or IECOPD
• red/brown: pneumococcal pneumonia, need to distinguish with frank blood

Question 3

Sputum Volume

Answer 3

• establish over 24 hours
• small amounts into a tissue, enough to fill spoon, egg cup or cup
• compare to baseline

Question 4

Sputum Consistency

Answer 4

• an increase in stickiness (viscosity) may indicate exacerbation in bronchiectasis
• occasionally sputum produces firm plugs by patients with asthma, sometimes underlying allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
• large volumes of frothy secretions over weeks/months are a feature of the uncommon bronchoalvelor cell carcinoma