The initial sputum sample was obtained from Helen
in the ER. The nurse gave Helen a cup and told her to spit in the cup.
The lab rejected the sample. After you mentioned that could not be possible
the lab scanned in one representative low-power field of the sputum sample.
See image below.
What was wrong with this sputum sample? Click on image above to find an
answer.
Helen was then taught how to give you a sputum sample.
Sputum samples were obtained every morning for three consecutive days.
The laboratory reported: Few bacteria mostly normal flora and numerous
mononuclear white blood cells were present on all the smears.
