The nurse is obtaining a throat culture. Which action indicates correct technique?

Question

1. Inserting the swab into the sterile tube without touching the outside of the container
2. Inserting a tongue blade to depress the anterior two-thirds of the tongue
3. Swabbing along the side of the cheek inside the mouth
4. Swabbing the pharynx gently and quickly, avoiding the tonsils

Answer 1

1
Rationale 1: The swab is placed into the container without touching the outside.
Rationale 2: The nurse inserts a tongue blade to depress the anterior third of the tongue, not two-thirds.
Rationale 3: The swab is inserted without touching the mouth or tongue.
Rationale 4: The swab is inserted and swabbed along the tonsils, making sure to contact any areas on the pharynx that are particularly erythematous, or contain exudate.
Global Rationale: The nurse inserts a tongue blade to depress the anterior third of the tongue, not two-thirds. The swab is inserted without touching the mouth or tongue, and swabs along the tonsils, making sure to contact any areas on the pharynx that are particularly erythematous, or contain exudate. The swab is removed and placed into the container without touching the outside.