When using a swab to make a smear:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Smears should not be prepared from a swab after it has been used to inoculate culture media.Ideally,if the sample can be collected only on swabs,two swabs are submitted.Smears from swabs are prepared by rolling the swab back and forth over the glass slide.The swab should never be rubbed back and forth across the slide,because important material on the opposite side of the swab might not be deposited and smear elements could be broken up.Dipping the swab in the liquid would remove much of the material to be stained.

When Using a Swab to Make a Smear