 | Cough With Frothy White Sputum
  The stimulus producing a cough may arise from an infectious process or from an air irritant, such as smoke, smog, dust or a gas; this might lead to a cough with frothy white sputum. “The cough is the watchdog of the lungs” and is the patient’s chief protection against the accumulation of secretions in the bronchi and bronchioles. On the other hand, the presence of cough may indicate serious pulmonary disease. For example, it is one of the prominent symptoms of bronchogenic carcinoma. If the cough is harsh and loud, the patient probably has a disease of the trachea or large bronchi, while the presence of a painful, short, dry cough may indicate a lesion of the parenchyma or pleura.
A patient who coughs long enough will almost invariably expectorate. The production of sputum is the reaction of the lung to any constantly recurring irritant. The caregiver should determine whether the sputum is associated with a nasal discharge. If there is a profuse amount of purulent sputum, the patient may have an infectious process; whereas a gradual increase of sputum over a period of time may reveal the presence of chronic bronchitis or bronchiectasis. Pink-tinged mucoid sputum is suggestive of a lung tumor, and profuse frothy pink material may indicate pulmonary edema (Notably a cough with frothy white sputum is an indicator of this). | Most Popular Common Cold And Flu ArticlesHow Does The Common Cold Affect Your Body Palpitations And Need To Cough Cough With Frothy White Sputum Types Of Rheumatic Heart Fever Pain Constant Low Grade Fever Nutritional Requirements Needed To Treat Fever Flu Symptoms With Neck And Back Pain And Muscle Aches Who Discovered Influenza Is Canada Ready For A Pandemic Influenza | |
| The caregiver’s charting should be specific with respect to the amount, the odor, the character, and, if known, the source of the sputum. The patient’s appetite may be lessened because of the odor and the taste in his mouth that result from the frequent raising of sputum. Adequate mouth hygiene, proper environment and wise selections of food will stimulate his appetite. After careful cleansing and rinsing of the mouth, sputum cups and emesis basins should be removed before his meal arrives. Some foods, such as citrus juices, make the mouth feel fresher and the patient is then more receptive to the rest of the meal.
Promotion of an Effective Cough Routine. Effective coughing is necessary for the mobilization and the removal of bronchial secretions and exudates. The promotion of vigorous coughing is essential for the patient undergoing thoracic surgery. Preoperatively he should be assured that coughing postoperatively will not “break his incision open” and informed that he will be assisted to cough every hour.
If possible, the patient should be in a sitting position while coughing, and the caregiver should stand behind him. The patient should be taught to cough into 2 tissues. Either of the following techniques may be used:
1. The caregiver’s hands should support the chest incision anteriorly and posteriorly. The patient is instructed to take several deep breaths, inhale, and then to cough forcibly.
2. With one hand, exert downward pressure on the shoulder of the affected side while firmly supporting beneath the wound with the other hand. The patient is instructed to take several deep breaths, inhale, and then cough forcibly.
Sputum may be obtained to determine the organisms present or to see if malignant cells can be discovered; the patient should be instructed to cough deeply so that a true specimen may be obtained for the sterile Petri dish. Often a qualitative study is done to determine whether the secretions are saliva, mucus or pus. Usually they separate into layers that are seen readily when a conical glass container is used. For quantitative studies, the patient is given a special container in which to expectorate. This is weighed at the end of 24 hours, and the amount and the character is described and charted. In disposing of such a specimen, it is well wrapped in paper and taken to the incinerator. To prevent odors, all sputum containers should be covered and concealed. Malodorous discarded mouth wipes should be removed, and there must be good ventilation in the room. This works in the manner to help ease the cough with frothy white sputum. | Twitter About The Common Cold Cure  | | Common Cold Tip Of The Day Colds are rather difficult to catch by way of the mouth. University of Wisconsin researchers tested couples, asking that in each couple, the cold-stricken partner kiss the unaffiliated one for 90 seconds. Only one caught cold. |
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