Sputum without error: Nursing conducts for quality collection na contamination prevention
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v14i11.50208Keywords:
Nursing, Sputum, Biosafety, Tuberculosis.Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze scientific evidence on nursing practices in sputum collection for the diagnosis of respiratory diseases, particularly pulmonary tuberculosis, identifying strategies that ensure sample quality and prevent contamination. This is an integrative review conducted according to PRISMA 2020, including ten studies published between 2020 and 2025. The findings show that sample quality depends directly on adequate patient guidance, proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), technical supervision, and strict adherence to biosafety procedures. The most frequent errors include collecting saliva instead of lower airway secretions, mishandling of the container, and delayed transport, which compromise diagnostic accuracy and increase biological risk. The literature highlights that technique standardization, continuous professional training, sputum induction when necessary, and the use of institutional protocols significantly reduce contamination, improve nursing performance, and enhance microbiological reliability. It is concluded that nursing plays a decisive role in diagnostic accuracy and in strengthening respiratory infection control actions, especially within tuberculosis surveillance programs.
References
African Journal of Thoracic and Critical Care Medicine (AJTCCM). (2024). Safety and yield of sputum induction for diagnosis. AJTCCM, 30(1), 1–5.
Botelho, L. L. R., Cunha, C. C. A., & Macedo, M. (2011). O método da revisão integrativa nos estudos organizacionais. Administração: Ensino e Pesquisa, 12(1), 1–22.
Brasil. Ministério da Saúde. (2022). Guia de orientações para coleta de escarro. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde.
Dragonieri, S., Carpagnano, G. E., Lacedonia, D., Foschino-Barbaro, M. P., & Carratù, P. (2023). Methodological aspects of induced sputum. Diagnostics, 13(7), 1–13.
Ferreira, T. M., & Almeida, C. L. (2021). Capacitação da equipe de enfermagem na coleta de escarro: Impacto na biossegurança e qualidade diagnóstica. Revista Enfermagem Atual In Derme, 95, 1–7.
Gonçalves, B., Silva, R. F., & Torres, A. L. (2023). Sputum induction and its diagnostic applications. Frontiers in Allergy, 2023, 1–13.
Licata, M. A., Rodrigues, P., & Gomez, E. (2024). Clinical utility of induced sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage. Pathogens, 13(2), 1–12.
Lima, P. S., Costa, M. F., & Rezende, D. C. (2023). Práticas seguras de coleta de escarro na atenção primária: Desafios e perspectivas. Revista de Saúde Pública, 57, 1–8.
Martínez, J. R., Valdez, M. A., & Sánchez, D. (2022). Patient education strategies to improve sputum sample quality for tuberculosis diagnosis. Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública, 46, e1–e9.
Moermans, C., et al. (2025). The success rate and safety of induced sputum: A large real-life series. Respiratory Medicine, 2025, 1–10.
Musso, M., Herrera, C., & López, R. (2025). Diagnostic yield of induced sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage in suspected pulmonary tuberculosis. BMC Infectious Diseases, 25, 1–9.
Pereira, A. L. F., Nascimento, D. R., & Rodrigues, J. D. M. (2018). Revisão integrativa: conceitos e métodos utilizados na enfermagem. Revista Enfermagem Atual In Derme, 84, 1–7.
Pereira, A. S. et al. (2018). Metodologia da pesquisa científica. [ebook gratuito]. Santa Maria: Editora da UFSM.
Santos, E. L., & Pacheco, R. F. (2024). Biossegurança na coleta de escarro: Riscos ocupacionais e medidas preventivas. Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem, 77(1), 1–11.
Silva, R. A., Moreira, D. A., & Campos, P. S. (2021). A importância da qualidade da amostra na coleta de escarro para diagnóstico da tuberculose pulmonar. Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem, 74(4), 1–9.
Silva, K. N., Almeida, J. F., & Souza, M. R. (2022). Tecnologias educativas para orientação da coleta de escarro da tuberculose pulmonar: Revisão integrativa. Revista Enfermagem em Foco, 13(2), 1–10.
Snyder, H. (2019). Revisão da literatura como metodologia de pesquisa: uma visão geral e diretrizes. Journal of Business Research, 104, 333–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JBUSRES.2019.07.039.
Souza, V. M., Teles, A. C., & Moura, C. E. (2022). Orientação e supervisão da coleta de escarro: O papel da enfermagem na prevenção de resultados falso-negativos. Revista de Enfermagem do Centro-Oeste Mineiro, 12, 1–10.
Souza, M. T., Silva, M. D., & Carvalho, R. (2010). Revisão integrativa: o que é e como fazer. Einstein, 8(1), 102–106.
Whittemore, R., & Knafl, K. (2005). The integrative review: Updated methodology. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 52(5), 546–553.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). Operational handbook on tuberculosis: Module 3 – Diagnosis. Geneva: WHO.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Maria Alice Barbosa Serique, Karolayne Lima Marques, Ludmilla Bianca Martins Mousinho, Maria Eduarda Vale da Silva Santos, Nayla Leonora de Paula Miranda, Suri Vitória de Oliveira Feitosa, Thiago dos Santos Contadini
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
1) Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
2) Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
3) Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
