How is a nucleic acid test performed on the oropharynx?
Dec 12, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Guo Xiheng
Introduction
Nucleic acid oropharyngeal swab refers to the nucleic acid test for COVID-19, which can be completed within 1–2 minutes. Before testing, the examinee should sit down and open their mouth as if pronouncing "ah" to expose the pharynx. The examiner may gently press down the examinee's tongue with a tongue depressor and then swiftly and gently swipe an oropharyngeal swab over both palatine arches and tonsillar fossae of the examinee.
Nasopharyngeal swab refers to nucleic acid testing for COVID-19, which is generally conducted via nasal swab or throat (oropharyngeal) swab. You may feel anxious when undergoing an oropharyngeal nucleic acid test, but the procedure simply involves using a throat swab to collect secretions from the pharynx and usually takes only 1–2 minutes. There's no need to be overly nervous or anxious. The specific steps are as follows:
1. Before testing, the person being tested should sit down, open their mouth as if saying "ah," and expose the throat area.
2. The healthcare provider may gently press down the subject’s tongue with a tongue depressor, then quickly and gently swab both sides of the palatine arches and the tonsillar fossae using a throat swab.
3. After collection, the swab is removed and placed into a specimen collection tube. The swab tip is immersed in cell preservation solution, the shaft is snapped off, and the tube cap is tightly sealed immediately. The sample is then placed into a transport container and sent for testing without delay.
Note: It is advisable for the person being tested to drink a moderate amount of water beforehand and stay relaxed, which can help reduce any discomfort during the procedure.
