Gram Stain of Betty's Sputum

The initial sputum sample was obtained from Betty in your office. The nurse gave Betty 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.
Betty's first sputum sample

What was wrong with this sputum sample? Click on image above to find an answer.

Betty was then taught how to give you a sputum sample. Sputum samples was obtained and sent to the lab.

©1998, Neal R. Chamberlain, Ph.D.. All rights reserved.