Purpose of Throat Culture: A throat culture is performed to detect the presence of pathogens (like
bacteria) that cause infections such as strep throat.
Correct Technique:
Uvula and Soft Palate: These are not the primary sites for collecting throat cultures.
Any site of Oral Cavity Mucosa: This is too broad and non-specific.
Tongue and Buccal Mucosa: These sites are not typically infected in throat infections and do not
provide accurate culture results.
Oropharynx and Tonsillar Region: The mucosa of the oropharynx and tonsillar region is the most
common site of infection in throat infections, making it the appropriate site for swabbing.
Procedure: The nurse should gently swab the oropharynx and tonsillar area, avoiding the tongue and
other parts of the oral cavity to avoid contamination and ensure accurate results.
Conclusion: The correct site for collecting a throat culture is the mucosa of the oropharynx and
tonsillar region, ensuring the detection of the causative pathogens.
Reference: Clinical nursing skills textbooks, NCLEX-RN review guides, guidelines for throat culture
collection.