Things to keep in mind when collecting nasopharyngeal swabs include

1. preparation before sampling: give the sampling tube to the patient, let the patient hold the tube, inform the patient that there may be discomfort during sampling, and also inform the patient that the tube needs to be held vertically, so that the patient can concentrate on holding the tube, which can focus the patient's attention on the tube to reduce the discomfort caused by nasopharyngeal irritation during the sampling process. Nasopharyngeal swab patients with discomfort should be instructed to inhale deeply with a large mouth.

2. Positioning during sampling: Tilt the patient's head back 70 degrees to straighten the passage between the nose and nasopharynx.

3. Standardize the sampling operation: "one insertion, two stops and three rotations" - measure the distance from the tip of the nose to the front of the ear, insert half of the length, usually about 4 cm for adults; stay for 15-30 seconds and absorb nasopharyngeal secretions, (depending on the patient's tolerance level) (depending on the patient's tolerance level, the minimum dwell time should not be less than 3 seconds; rotate the nasopharyngeal swab for a few turns and then remove it slowly).

4. Precautions: The sampler stands to the side of the patient and asks the patient to pull the mask to reveal only the nostrils, and once the sneeze reflex occurs, the patient can use his elbow or tissue to cover up.

Many patients in the clinic have enlarged turbinates and narrow nasal passages, and when pharyngeal swabs feel resistance to insertion, they should not use force rashly, and can try to change one side of the nasal cavity or directly change to oropharyngeal swab collection. Those with nasal allergy symptoms, which can easily induce sneezing, are recommended for oropharyngeal swab sampling.