For which patient could the nurse collect a sputum specimen without using a suction catheter?

A) The patient with a newly placed tracheostomy
B) The patient with an endotracheal tube
C) The patient with late-stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
D) The patient admitted with chronic bronchitis

The patient with a newly placed tracheostomy will need help clearing the airway and can provide a sputum specimen only by having the airway suctioned.A client with an endotracheal tube in place can contribute a sputum specimen only with the assistance of suctioning.A patient in the later stages of a muscle-wasting disease would not have the strength to expectorate a sputum specimen and would require suctioning.The patient with a chronic cough,if there are no other considerations,would be able to expectorate a sputum specimen and would not require suctioning.