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Description Indication andContraindication

Client Preparation andPost-Procedure

Instructions

Normal Values ActualResult

Clinical Interpretation

A sputum culture isa test to detect andidentify bacteria or fungi (plural of fungus) that are

infecting the lungsor breathingpassages. Sputum isa thick fluidproduced in thelungs and in theairways leading tothe lungs.

INDICATION: Chronic respiratory

infections Isolate and identify

potentailly pathogenicorganisms present in thelower respiratory tract,identify isolates responsiblefor pneumonia, bronichitis,bronchiectasis. Presence or absence of normal upper respiratory flora is oftenreported.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: As hypertonic saline causes

bronchoconstriction, theprocedure should only beperformed after pre-medicationwith salbutamol and under medical supervision in patientswith asthma, suspected asthma,or severely impaired lungfunction (FEV1< 1 litre).

As the procedure causessevere coughing theprocedure should not beperformed in patients inwhom severe coughing maybe harmful. This may includepatients with: haemoptysisof unknown origin

acute respiratory distressunstable cardiovascular status,(arrhythmias, angina)thoracic, pneumothoraxpulmonary emboli fractured ribsor other chest traumarecent eye surgery

Client Preparation: Drinking a lot of

water and other fluids the nightbefore the testmay help to getthe sample.

a. Use sterilecontainer b. Collect

specimen before thefirst dose of antibiotic Instruct the client

to take a verydeep breath andhold the air for 5seconds. Slowlybreathe out. Takeanother deepbreath and coughhard until somesputum comes upinto the mouth.

Post- procedure: Dispose the

equipmentproperly seal thecontainer in aleak proof bagbefore sending itto the laboratory.

>Negative Normal

Range:Normalupper respiratoryflora,Trachealaspirate andbronchscopyspecimenshould nothave anygrowth.

Presence of bloodand the yellow or brown colour of thesputum indicatespositive test.

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Description Indication andContraindication

Client Preparation andPost-Procedure

Instructions

Normal Values ActualResult

Clinical Interpretation

A chest x ray is apainless, noninvasivetest that createspictures of thestructures inside your chest, such as your heart, lungs, and bloodvessels. "Noninvasive"means that no surgeryis done and noinstruments areinserted into your body.

This test is done to

INDICATION: Patients who present with

traumatic injuries have apneumothorax ( air in thelungs) and this is animportant indication for achest x-ray.

Patients underwent a cardiacbypass will generally havechest x-ray done daily.

Patients who have linesinserted and are incubatedwill need a chest x-ray .

Client Preparation: Generally, no prior

preparation, such asfasting or sedation,is required.

Post-procedure: Generally, there is

no special type of care after a chest x-ray. However, your physician may giveyou additional or alternateinstructions after

LungFields:

Usuallynot visiblethroughoutexcept for the bloodvessels-densitieson thelower lung

1. A = Airway: are thetrachea and mainstembronchi patent; is thetrachea midline?2. B = Bones: are theclavicles, ribs, andsternum present andare there fractures?3. C = Cardiacsilhouette: is thediameter of the heart> thoracic diameter (enlarged)?4. D = Diaphragm:are the costophrenic

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find the cause of symptoms such asshortness of breath,

chest pain, chroniccough (a cough thatlasts a long time), andfever.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Pregnant women, particularly

those in the first or secondtrimester, should not havechest x rays unless absolutelynecessary

the procedure,depending on your particular situation.

and costocardiacmargins sharp? is onehemidiaphragm

enlarged over another? is free air present beneath thediaphragm?5. E = Effusion/emptyspace: is either present?6. F = Fields (lungs):are there infiltrates,increased interstitial

markings, masses, air bronchograms,increased vascularity,or silhouette signs?7. G = Gastric bubble:is it present and onthe correct (left) side?8. H = Hilar region: isthere increased hilar lymphadenopathy?

9. I = Inspiration: didthe patient inspirewell enough for 10ribs to be counted, or was the patientrotated?

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