Final answer:
A medical assistant preparing a rapid strep test needs to gather materials like a test card, patient serum, and reagent; maintain a clean and safe environment; use protective gear; follow the kit's instructions for sample collection; and interpret the results following prescribed guidelines. Additional tests such as culturing and antibiotic susceptibility tests may be conducted to confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
A medical assistant preparing to perform a rapid strep test should take the following actions:
- Gather the necessary materials, including a test card, patient serum sample, and a bottle of test reagent, which is typically a suspension of horse erythrocytes.
- Ensure that the test area is clean and sanitized to prevent contamination.
- Use proper protective equipment such as gloves to maintain sterility and safety.
- Follow the test kit's specific instructions for sample collection and handling, which usually involves swabbing the patient's throat and applying the sample to the test card or mixing it with the reagent.
- Read and interpret the results of the test according to the manufacturer's guidelines to determine the presence of Group A Streptococcus bacteria.
Additional tests may involve culturing the bacteria on selective media such as Blood Agar plates, and performing antibiotic susceptibility testing to guide treatment decisions. In some cases, further procedures such as a spinal tap may be necessary to assess complications like meningitis.