Gently and slowly insert the swab through the nasal cavity. The swab reaches the finger mark or stays for a few seconds after encountering resistance to absorb secretions; (usually stay for 15-30 seconds, then gently rotate 3 times).
Gently swirl to remove the swab and place it in the virus sampling tube (in the transport medium); break the swab tail along the breaking point so that it is completely in the tube. Tighten the cap, and if you need to collect from both nostrils, you should use another swab.
Nasal swab sampling precautions
The sampler stands at the side of the patient to take samples, and asks the patient to pull down the mask to expose only the nostrils. Once the sneeze reflex occurs, the patient can cover it with his elbow or a tissue. The sampler is not directly in front of the patient, and the risk of exposure is quite low.
In clinical practice, many patients have hypertrophic turbinates and narrow nasal passages. When the throat swab feels resistance, they cannot rashly exert force. They can try to change the nasal cavity or directly change to oropharyngeal swab collection. People with nasal allergy symptoms can easily induce sneezing. It is recommended to take an oropharyngeal swab.