Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Practice Exam

How should swab specimens be processed to ensure accuracy?

1. They must be frozen immediately after collection

2. They should be kept moist with transport medium

3. They can be left dry until testing

4. They need to be plated on solid media right away

The correct answer is: They should be kept moist with transport medium

To ensure accuracy in processing swab specimens, it is essential to keep them moist with a transport medium. This practice preserves the viability of the microorganisms during transit to the laboratory, allowing for a more accurate assessment of the specimen once it is examined. Moisture in the transport medium prevents the desiccation of the sample, which can lead to degradation of the cells or microorganisms of interest. As a result, sufficient moisture helps maintain the integrity of the sample, facilitating optimal growth of pathogens when cultured. In contrast, freezing a specimen right after collection can damage the cells and alter the results, making it an unsuitable option. Leaving a specimen dry until testing can also compromise the viability of the sample, potentially leading to false negative results. While plating specimens on solid media immediately is beneficial in some contexts, it is not always required for swab specimens, especially if the proper transport medium is used, which provides an appropriate environment for preserving the specimen's characteristics until it can be processed in the lab.