Sputum question

Posted by reneemc @reneemc, Aug 21 10:57am

While Nebulizing saline and you have to cough, can you use that sputum for sample to take to Dr , or should you try and get sputum during airway clearance without saline? is it ok if sputum is mixed with saline?

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kdiago1564 | @kdiago1564 | Aug 21 2:10pm

When I go to the pulmonologist for sputum induction, I am always given the 7% hypertonic saline during the process to make my cough more productive so saline is always part of the sampling process—it's ok if the sputum is mixed.

fdixon63 | @fdixon63 | Aug 22 10:08am

reneemc. So glad you posted this question. I'm sure there are others out there (like me) who may be wondering the same... I have used my home nebbing to get sputum up and I am using Sod Chloride/hypersal that would get in the collection cup. No one had ever said--not the doc or the respiratory therapist. Thanks.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Aug 22 4:20pm

@reneemc As the others have mentioned, if you use saline it will inevitably be in the sample. Even if you wait a few hours (or even overnight) if the saline has penetrated deep into your lungs, there is still some ther. Sometimes if I cough the morning after nebbing, I can taste the salt in my sputum.