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Nasopharyngeal culture is a sample of secretions from the uppermost part of the throat, behind the nose, to detect organisms that can cause disease.
Alternative NamesCulture - nasopharyngeal; Swab for respiratory viruses; Swab for Staph carriage
How the test is performedYou will be asked to cough before the test begins and then tilt your head back. A sterile cotton-tipped swab is gently passed through the nostril and into the nasopharynx, the part of the pharynx that covers the roof of the mouth. The swab is quickly rotated and then removed.
How to prepare for the testThere is no special preparation necessary.
How the test will feelYou may experience slight discomfort and may gag.
Why the test is performedThe test identifies viruses and bacteria that cause upper respiratory tract symptoms. Nasopharyngeal cultures are useful in identifying respiratory viruses, and bacteria such as:
- Bordetella pertussis
- Neisseria meningitidis
- Staphylococcus aureus
The culture may be used to help determine which antibiotic therapy is appropriate.
Normal ValuesThe presence of organisms commonly found in the nasopharynx is normal.
What abnormal results meanThe presence of any disease-causing virus, bacteria, or fungus means these organisms may be involved in your infection.
What the risks areThere are no risks.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoNasopharyngeal culture is a sample of secretions from the uppermost part of the throat, behind the nose, to detect organisms that can cause disease.
Alternative NamesCulture - nasopharyngeal; Swab for respiratory viruses; Swab for Staph carriage
How the test is performedYou will be asked to cough before the test begins and then tilt your head back. A sterile cotton-tipped swab is gently passed through the nostril and into the nasopharynx, the part of the pharynx that covers the roof of the mouth. The swab is quickly rotated and then removed.
How to prepare for the testThere is no special preparation necessary.
How the test will feelYou may experience slight discomfort and may gag.
Why the test is performedThe test identifies viruses and bacteria that cause upper respiratory tract symptoms. Nasopharyngeal cultures are useful in identifying respiratory viruses, and specific bacteria such as:
- Bordetella pertussis
- Neisseria meningitidis
- Staphylococcus aureus
The culture may be used to help determine which antibiotic therapy is appropriate.
Normal ValuesThe presence of organisms commonly found in the nasopharynx is normal.
What abnormal results meanThe presence of any disease-causing virus, bacteria, or fungus means these organisms may be involved in your infection. Sometimes organisms like Staphylococcus aureus can be present without causing disease, but the test can identify resistant strains of this organism (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA) and patients can be isolated when necessary.
What the risks areThere are no risks.
ReferencesHewlett EL. Whooping cough and other Bordetellainfections. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia,PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 321.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 12/12/2011
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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What risks exist for the patient in undergoing a nasopharyngeal culture?
There is little to no risk involved in a nasopharyngeal culture.
What alternative procedures may be used to do a nasopharyngeal culture?
In most cases of upper respiratory tract infections, a throat culture is more appropriate than a nasopharyngeal culture. However, the nasopharyngeal culture should be used in cases where throat cultures are difficult to obtain or to.
What is a nasopharyngeal culture?
A nasopharyngeal culture is used to identify pathogenic (disease-causing) organisms present in the nasal cavity that may cause upper respiratory tract symptoms.
What characteristics does a normal nasopharyngeal culture have?
Bacteria that normally grow in the nose cavity will be identified by a nasopharyngeal culture. These include nonhemolytic streptococci, alpha-hemolytic streptococci, some Neisseria species, and some types of staphylococci.
What characteristics does an abnormal nasopharyngeal culture have?
Pathogenic organisms that might be identified by this culture include: Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci, Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough, Corynebacterium diptheriae, the causative agent of diptheria.
How should patients be prepared for a nasopharyngeal culture?
The procedure of inserting the swab should be described to the patient, as there is a slight discomfort associated with taking the sample. Other than that, no special preparation is necessary.
What is the purpose of a nasopharyngeal culture?
The most serious of these organisms is Neisseriea meningitidis, which causes meningitis or blood stream infection in infants. By culturing a sample from the nasopharynx, the physician can identify this organism, and others.
How is a nasopharyngeal culture done?
The patient should cough before collection of the specimen. Then, as the patient tilts his or her head backwards, the caregiver will inspect the back of the throat using a penlight and tongue depressor. A swab on a flexible wire is inserted into.
What precautions need to be taken when doing a nasopharyngeal culture?
The technician taking the specimen should wear gloves to prevent spreading infectious organisms. The patient should not be taking antibiotics, as these drugs may influence the test results.
What are characteristic of culture?
..culture is learned.. ..culture is transmitted orally and by writing.. ..culture is shared.. ..culture is patterned and integrated.. ..culture is adaptive and maladapive.. ..culture is compulsory.. and ..culture is essential for social life..
What culture is similar to the NACIREMA culture?
the nacirema culture is a culture that is a culture.(Ha WEIRD mee)
What are the characteristics of culture in social dimension?
In the social dimension, culture encompasses norms, values, beliefs, and customs shared by a group of people. It shapes interactions, relationships, and social behaviors within that group. Cultural practices such as language, rituals, roles, and traditions play a significant role in defining social identities and fostering cohesion within the community.
