OSMT (Ontario Society of Medical Technologists) Practice Exam

What may observations of sputum specimens include?

1. Asbestos fibres

2. Blood

3. White flecks

4. Casts

The correct answer is: Casts

Observations of sputum specimens can reveal various components that indicate different underlying health conditions. When considering casts, they are proteinaceous materials that form in the respiratory tract due to various pathological processes. The presence of casts in sputum can suggest specific respiratory conditions, such as bronchial asthma or chronic bronchitis, where they may indicate the presence of inflammation or obstructive pathology. While the other components can also be observed in sputum specimens, such as asbestos fibers (often related to occupational exposure) or blood (which may indicate issues such as pulmonary bleeding), it is the presence of casts that is directly linked to specific respiratory diseases and the formation of mucus in the airways. White flecks might also be observed, but they are less indicative of a specific respiratory pathology compared to casts. Therefore, the identification of casts offers a more notable insight into potential respiratory issues.