Certified Medical Assistant (CMA AAMA)Procedures, Examinations and DiagnosticsMedium
A medical assistant is performing a rapid point-of-care strep test on a patient with a sore throat. Which factor is most important to ensure an accurate test result?
- AHaving the patient rinse with mouthwash immediately before the swab is collected
- BCollecting the swab specimen at least one hour after the patient has eaten
- CUsing a cotton-tipped swab dipped in saline before collection
- DSwabbing both tonsillar pillars and the posterior pharynx while avoiding the tongue and cheeks
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Swabbing both tonsillar pillars and the posterior pharynx while avoiding the tongue and cheeks
Accurate rapid strep testing depends on proper specimen collection technique: the swab must contact the tonsils and posterior pharynx directly, avoiding the tongue, cheeks, and uvula, which can introduce contaminating flora and cause false results.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Mouthwash could kill bacteria or introduce chemicals that interfere with test accuracy.
- B. There is no requirement to wait an hour after eating for a throat swab.
- C. Pre-moistening the swab with saline is not standard practice and may dilute the specimen.
Rapid Strep Test Collection
A point-of-care test for group A streptococcus requiring a swab of the tonsils and posterior pharynx, avoiding tongue and cheek contact to reduce contamination.
- Swab both tonsils and posterior pharyngeal wall
- Avoid touching tongue, cheeks, or uvula
- False negatives can occur with insufficient specimen contact
Memory trick: 'Aim for the tonsils, skip the tongue.'