Taking histories of upper respiratorytract infections in elderly persons orchildren can be difficult because thesepatients may have trouble describingthe color of sputum or discharge. Usea color wheel or a set of sample colors(such as paint chips or photographicbackgrounds), and ask the patient topoint to the color that matches his orher sputum or discharge.-- Kathy G. Savage, MSN, ARNP,
A/GNP
Revere, Mass
