Nasopharyngeal swab

Procedure

• Open sealed package and, with aseptic technique, remove the sterile swab.
• Collect the swab:
  • Position patient in a seated position, then tilt the head back so they are looking up at about a 45-degree angle (pretty far back).
  • Insert swab into one nostril.
  • Press the swab tip to the mucosal surface of the mid-inferior turbinate (lateral wall).
    • The rule of thumb is to insert to one-half the distance from the tip of the nose to the tip of the earlobe.
  • Briefly rotate swab.
  • Leave swab in place for a few second to absorb material.
  • Withdraw swab.
• Aseptically remove cap from vial and insert swab into medium.
• Break swab shaft evenly at the scored line to fit in tube well below the cap, and replace the cap, closing it tightly.
• Label the specimen, then place in a sealed biohazard bag.