Steps to Getting a Good Sputum Sample:

1. area
Go to the sputum collection
you are directed to by the
2. while
Relax. Take a few deep breaths
pressing your hand lightly on
3. Rinse and spit with water. This is important to make sure there won’t be mouth
bacteria in the sputum collected.
study nurse. This area should be your stomach. When it’s time to cough,
outside or in a special area with you should be inhaling so deeply that
negative air flow (meaning the air you feel it in your stomach area.
flows out of the room you are in).

4. mouth
Get ready– Put one hand over your
with a tissue and then put the other hand
5. Cough deeply, so that you can really
feel it in your stomach. Do not take shallow
6. Once the sputum (phlegm) is in your mouth,
release it into the container provided by the
back on your stomach. coughs from the throat or chest. study nurse.

7. quality.
Check– Give the sputum (phlegm) container to the study nurse to check for
The study nurse should hold the container up to the light to make sure you
8. quality
Repeat– On day 1, you need to produce two high
sputa for the study nurse. If either of the two sputa
have provided a quality sample. are of low quality (too small or clear), according to the
study nurse:

1. You will be asked to try to produce a better sputum.

The study nurse will accompany you to the sputum
collection area and will coach you through steps 1-8.

2. If the sample is still too small or is clear, the study

nurse may assist you by patting you on the back (see
below). Stretching will also help (see below).

3. If the samples you provide are good, you are done for
the day, but you will need to come back to repeat these
steps the following day (day 2) as directed by the
study nurse.

If you are having trouble:

1. Get a pat! A study nurse may pat you

solidly up and down your back to help you
2. and
Stretch and try again– sometimes it helps to relax a bit. When you are ready, rinse
spit and try again!
release the sputum.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CS241782