What it means
A wet cough that clears mucus (sputumSPYOO-tumMucus and other material coughed up from the lungs and lower airways.Full entry ) from the airways. It is the opposite of a dry or nonproductive cough. It occurs with infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia, with chronic bronchitis and COPD, and with other lung diseases. The color, amount, thickness and smell of the sputum help describe it.
For the nurse
Ask the client to cough into a tissue, then chart the sputum's color, amount and consistency, and report blood or a change. Encourage fluids and deep breathing, and collect a sputum sample before antibiotics when ordered.
Related terms
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a long-term lung disease that makes it hard to move air out of the lungs.
sputum
Mucus and other material coughed up from the lungs and lower airways.
antitussive
A drug that reduces coughing.