1. Pre-sampling preparation: Give the sampling test tube to the patient, let the patient hold the test tube, inform the patient that there may be discomfort during the sampling process, and also inform the patient that the test tube needs to be held vertically, so that the patient can concentrate on holding the test tube, which can focus the patient's attention on the test tube to reduce the discomfort caused by nasopharyngeal irritation during the sampling process. Nasal swab patients with discomfort, large deep inhalation

2. Position during sampling: tilt the patient's head back 70 degrees to straighten the channel between the nose and nasopharynx.

3. Standardized 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 to absorb nasopharyngeal secretions (depending on the patient's tolerance level) The nasopharyngeal swab should be rotated around the joint and then slowly removed.

4. Precautions: The sampler stands to the side of the patient to take the sample, and the patient is asked to pull down the mask to expose only the nostrils, once the sneeze reflex occurs.

Once the sneezing reflex occurs, the patient can be shielded by elbow or tissue, and the sampler is not directly in front of the patient, so the risk of exposure is considerably lower.

In clinical practice, many patients have enlarged turbinates and narrow nasal passages, so when the pharyngeal swab is inserted and resistance is felt, it is not possible to force the swab, but to try to change to one side of the nasal cavity or directly to oropharyngeal swab collection. Those with nasal allergy symptoms, which can easily induce sneezing, are recommended for oropharyngeal swab sampling.