Final answer:
A nasopharyngeal swab is a medical procedure used to collect a sample from the back of the nasal cavity and upper throat. To do a nasopharyngeal swab, a sterile swab is inserted through the nostril and gently guided along the floor of the nasal cavity until it reaches the nasopharynx. The swab is then carefully removed, placed in a sterile transport medium, and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nasopharyngeal swab is a medical procedure used to collect a sample from the back of the nasal cavity and upper throat. It is commonly performed to test for respiratory infections like COVID-19.
To conduct a nasopharyngeal swab, you will need a sterile swab and the person being tested should tilt their head back. Then, the swab is inserted through the nostril and gently guided along the floor of the nasal cavity until it reaches the nasopharynx, which is the area at the back of the nasal cavity. The swab is rotated and left in place for a few seconds to collect enough cells.
The swab is then carefully removed, placed in a sterile transport medium, and sent to the laboratory for analysis. It's important to follow proper technique and use appropriate personal protective equipment to ensure the accuracy of the test results and prevent any risk of contamination.