Respiratory Cloud Clinical Skills Library

Clinical knowledge review

Contraindications

Use these educational prompts with current orders, protocols, patient assessment, facility policy, and supervising-clinician direction.

Skill

Sputum Collection

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Contraindications Conditions identified as reasons to avoid or defer the procedure pending authorized clinical review. View list Relative contraindications Factors requiring individualized risk-benefit assessment, added precautions, or a modified approach. View list

Contraindications

Review these conditions before proceeding and follow current orders, protocols, facility policy, and supervising-clinician direction.

  • Severe bronchospasm or airway hyperreactivity
  • Severe uncorrected hypoxemia
  • Active or massive hemoptysis
  • Recent thoracic, abdominal, or neurosurgery
  • Unstable cardiovascular status or significant arrhythmia
  • Known or suspected pneumothorax
  • Known/suspected infectious TB without airborne precautions

Relative contraindications

Use individualized risk-benefit assessment, added precautions, or a modified approach as authorized for the patient and setting.

  • Mild or moderate hypoxemia (stable, correctable)
  • Recent myocardial infarction (<6 weeks)

Sources

Supporting sources include peer-reviewed research, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, professional standards, and foundational respiratory care references, as applicable to the skill.

  1. Paggiaro PL, Chanez P, Holz O, et al. Eur Respir J Suppl. 2002;37:3s–8s. doi:10.1183/09031936.02.00000302.
  2. Goncalves B, Viegas A, Conde S. Diagnostics (Basel). 2023;13(16):2628.
  3. Sakr L, Dutau H. Respir Med. 2010;104(10).
  4. Schultz A, et al. TSANZ Position Statement: Induced Sputum. Respirology. 2024.
  5. Lee JY. Yonsei Med J. 2016;57(2):282–289.