Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills: A Nursing Process Approach

374

Copyright © 2011 by Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:

Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:

A Nursing Process Approach, 3rd edition

Name Date

Unit Position

Instructor/Evaluator: Position

SKILL 18-4

Obtaining a Nasal Swab

Goal:An uncontaminated specimen is obtained without injury

to the patient and sent to the laboratory promptly. Comments

1. Bring necessary equipment to the bedside stand or
   overbed table. Check the expiration date on the swab
   package.


2. Perform hand hygiene and put on PPE, if indicated.


3. Identify the patient. Discuss with the patient the need for a
   nasal swab. Explain to the patient the process by which
   the specimen will be collected.


4. Check specimen label with patient identification bracelet.
   Label should include patient’s name and identification
   number, time specimen was collected, route of collection,
   identification of the person obtaining the sample, and any
   other information required by agency policy.


5. Close curtains around bed or close the door to the room, if
   possible.


6. Put on nonsterile gloves.


7. Ask the patient to tip his or her head back. Assist as
   necessary.


8. Peel open the swab packaging to expose the swab and col-
   lection tube. Remove the white plug from the collection
   tube and discard. Remove the swab from packaging by
   grasping the exposed end. Take care not to contaminate
   the swab by touching it to any other surface. Moisten with
   sterile water, depending on facility policy.


9. Insert swab 2 cm into one narisand rotate against the
   anterior nasal mucosa for 3 seconds or five rotations,
   depending on facility policy.


10. Remove the swab and repeat in the second naris, using the
    same swab.


11. Insert the swab fully into the collection tube, taking care
    not to touch any other surface. The handle end of the
    swab should fit snugly into the collection tube.


12. Dispose of used equipment per facility policy. Remove
    gloves. Perform hand hygiene.

ExcellentSatisfactoryNeeds Practice

LWBK681-C18_p369-392.qxd 9/3/10 4:39 PM Page 374 Aptara Inc