Sputum

Question 1

What conditions cause mucoid to be opalescent or white?

Answer 1

• Chronic bronchitis (without infection).
• Asthma.

Question 2

What conditions cause mucopurulent to be slightly discoloured, but not frank pus?

Answer 2

• Bronchiectasis.
• Cystic fibrosis.
• Pneumonia.

Question 3

What condition causes purulent to be thick, viscous and yellow/dark green - brown/rusty/redcurrant jelly coloured?

Answer 3

Haemophilus.

Question 4

What condition causes purulent to be thick, viscous and dark green/ brown coloured?

Answer 4

Pseumococcus.

Question 5

What conditions cause purulent to be thick, viscous and rusty coloured?

Answer 5

• Pseumococcus.
• Mycoplasma.

Question 6

What condition causes purulent to be thick, viscous and redcurrant jelly coloured?

Answer 6

Klebsiella.

Question 7

What condition causes frothy pink or white sputum?

Answer 7

Pulmonary oedema.

Question 8

What conditions cause haemoptysis to be ranging from blood specks to frank blood, old blood (dark brown)?

Answer 8

• Infection (Tuberculosis, Bronchiectasis).
• Infarction.
• Carcinoma.
• Vasculitis.
• Trauma.
• Coagulation disorders.
• Cardiac disease.

Question 9

What conditions cause sputum to be black specks in mucoid secretions?

Answer 9

• Smoke inhalation (Fires, Tobacco, Heroin).
• Coal dust.