What it means
Thick fluid brought up from the airways by coughing, not saliva from the mouth. Its color, thickness and amount help describe lung problems: clear, white, yellow, green, rust-colored, pink and frothy, or bloody. A sputum sample can be sent for culture or to test for tuberculosistoo-ber-kyoo-LOH-sisAn infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most often attacks the lungs.tubercul/o small swelling-osis abnormal conditionFull entry .
For the nurse
Collect a sample early in the morning, before antibiotics start if possible. Have the client rinse the mouth with water (not mouthwash), take a few deep breaths and cough deeply into a sterile cup. Record color, amount and thickness.
In a chart
"Productive cough with thick yellow-green sputum; sputum culture sent."
At a glance
| Everyday words | phlegm |
|---|---|
| Spanish | esputo |
| Also written | phlegm |
Related terms
tuberculosis
An infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most often attacks the lungs.
pneumonia
An infection of one or both lungs in which the air sacs fill with fluid or pus.
secretion
A substance a gland or cell makes and releases, such as mucus, saliva, sweat or a hormone.
suctioning
Removing mucus, saliva or other secretions from the mouth, nose or airway with a tube connected to a suction source.