Question

method of collection for this specimen.

- abscess of skin

- Blood - Bone marrow

-fecees

-Genital

- Cerebrospinal fluid

- anaerobic cultures

Answer 1

Abcess of skin

Disinfection should be done first. The infected part must then be aspirated with needle and syringe. The collected specimen must be stored in a sterile tube.

Blood

The area of skin (usually forearm) is first sterilized using alcohol/spirit. The skin is held taut and the sterilized needle of the syringe is inserted obliquely into the main veins. Blood is then drawn slowly into the syringe. Excess pressure while drawing must be avoided to avoid air. The needle is drawn out and the area of skin is resterilized with alcohol.

Bone marrow

The aspiration of bone marrow is done first. A small incision is made and then the needle of the syringe is inserted through the bone and into the bone marrow. The syringe is then used to pull and withdraws a specimen of the liquid portion of the bone marrow.

Faeces

The screw-capped container must be opened and keep it aside. In a plastic bag kept in commode or lavatory, the stool must be collected. The plastic spoon must be used to scoop the faeces from the plastic into the container and must be capped as soon as possible.

Genitals

Female: A clean swab must be used to remove the excess mucus in the cervix and then discared dafely. Another swab for specimen collection must be inserted into the endocervical canal. The swab must be rotated inside in order to pick up the specimen. The swab must be withdrawn out carefully to avoid contact with vaginal mucosa. The swab must be inserted into transported tube and snapped off into it at the score line followed by capping of the tube.

Male: Patient must be urinated atleast one hour before collection. The swab must be inserted into urethra and rotated clockwise for a couple of seconds and then withdrawn out. The swab must be inserted into transport tube and snapped off at score line and then capped.

Cerebrospinal fluid

A puncture at the lumbar region is made to collect the cerebrospinal fluid. A needle is inserted into the space between two vertebra into the space that contains the cebebrospinal fluid around the spinal cord. The fluid then starts dripping out from the other end of the needle and is collected in vials

Anaerobic cultures

The needle must be sterilized with alcohol and then disinfected with iodine solution. The aspiration must be performed asceptically and the specimen collection must be done from the deepest regions of wound/lesion. The specimen collected must then be transferred into anaeroibc culturettes.