| Box 18-1 | Characteristics of Sputum and Potential Causes |
| Sputum Characteristic | Potential Cause |
|---|---|
| • Thick and yellow or green (purulent) | Bacterial infection |
| • Thin, white, or clear, mucoid (mucous) | Colds, viral infections, bronchitis |
| • Rust colored | Tuberculosis, pneumococcal pneumonia |
| • Gradual increase of sputum over time | Chronic bronchitis |
| • Pink-tinged, mucoid (mucous) sputum | Lung tumor, tuberculosis |
| • Profuse, frothy, pink sputum | Pulmonary edema |
| • Foul-smelling sputum and bad breath | Lung abscess, bronchiectasis, anaerobic infection |
Source: Adapted from Hinkle, J. L., Cheever, K. H., & Overbaugh, K. (2022). Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of medical-surgical nursing (15th ed.). Wolters Kluwer; Jarvis, C. (2020). Physical examination and health assessment (8th ed.). Elsevier; and Jensen, S. (2019). Nursing health assessment: A best practice approach (3rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer.