The nurse is teaching a client how to collect a sputum specimen. Which steps should the nurse instruct the client to follow when collecting a sputum?

A. Obtain the specimen before bedtime: Evening is not the ideal time for sputum collection. The best specimens are usually obtained in the early morning, when secretions have pooled in the airways overnight and are easier to expectorate. B. Restrict fluids before expectorating the sputum specimen: Fluid restriction thickens secretions, making them harder to expel. Adequate hydration actually helps loosen mucus and improves the quality of the sputum sample. C. Avoid mouth care prior to collecting the sputum: Oral care should be encouraged before specimen collection to reduce contamination with oral bacteria or food particles. Skipping mouth care can compromise the accuracy of culture results. D. Breathe deeply, followed by coughing up the sputum: Deep breathing expands the lungs and mobilizes secretions, and forceful coughing helps bring sputum from the lower respiratory tract. This is the correct technique to obtain a proper diagnostic sample.