Geisinger Medical Laboratories Microbiology Specimen Collection Instructions
NASOPHARYNGEAL SPECIMENS
I. INDICATIONS
There are few occasions for obtaining a routine nasopharyngeal culture. It is the specimen of choice for Bordetella culture.
II. MATERIALS
III. SPECIMEN COLLECTION
- Use over-the-shoulder illumination.
- With the thumb of one hand, gently elevate the tip of the nose. Remove excess secretions or exudate from the anterior nares.
- Moisten the tip of a small minitip swab with sterile water or saline and gently insert it into one of the nares.
- Guide the swab backward and upward along the nasal septum until a distinct "give" and resistance indicates that the posterior pharynx has been reached. If undue resistance is met, possibly due to a deviated nasal septum, repeat the procedure with the other naris.
- Rotate the swab on the nasopharyngeal membrane and allow it to remain in place for 10 or 15 seconds.
- Insert the swab into the appropriate transport media.
Reference:
Koneman EW, 1988. Atlas and Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology. JB Lippincott, Philadelphia.
Miller JM. 1999. A Guide to Specimen Management in Clinical Microbiology. ASM Press. Washington DC. 2nd Edition.
Reviewed: 3/4/2011