If a sputum sample shows an abnormal number of squamous cells, what is the appropriate next step a specialist should take?

When a sputum sample shows an abnormal number of squamous cells, this often indicates contamination from saliva rather than a true representative sample from the lower airways. Squamous cells are typically not found in normal sputum samples and their presence suggests that the sample may not accurately reflect the pulmonary status of the patient. Therefore, the next step should involve further evaluation of the sample before any clinical decisions are made based on possibly misleading results.

Waiting for further evaluation allows for a thorough analysis by the laboratory for additional factors that could clarify the significance of the findings, including potential re-collection if necessary. This step avoids jumping to conclusions or initiating inappropriate treatments based on potentially contaminated samples. It’s critical to ensure that diagnostic procedures yield reliable information to guide proper management.

Collecting an additional sputum sample or discarding the sample might eventually be necessary, but they are usually implemented after assessing the current sample's quality and reliability. Recommending antimicrobial therapy without confirming a bacterial infection from a representative sample would not be appropriate and could lead to unnecessary treatment or antibiotic resistance. Hence, focusing on further evaluation before any additional actions aligns with appropriate clinical reasoning and practice.