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Sputum smears must be prepared promptly after samples are collected or received in the laboratory.

Steps in smear preparation are as follows:

  1. Cleaning and Labelling of slide (No 1)
  2. Making the smear (No 2-3)
  3. Drying and Heat fixing the smear (No 4-5)
  4. Staining and counterstaining the smear (No 6- 12)
  5. Examination of slide/Reading the Smear (No 13-14)
  6. Reporting and recording the observations (Digitally and TB Lab register)
  7. Storage of slides (as per Laboratory Numbers in closed box) (No 15)

 

 

Figure: Steps in Smear Preparation; 1- Labelling of the slide, 2- Using a broomstick to pick up purulent portion (A) while avoiding the salivary portion (B), 3- Spreading sample on a glass slide, 4- Air-drying the slides, 5- Heat-fixing the smeared slides,6- Staining with 1% Carbol fuchsin, 7- Heating of stained smear, 8- Decolorize with 25% Sulphuric acid, 9- Rinse off decolourizer, 10- Counter stain with 0.1% Methylene blue, 11-Rinse off counter stain, 12-Drying the prepared slide, 13-14 Examination of smears , reporting of observations, 15-Storage of slides; Source: Laboratory Diagnosis by Sputum Smear Microscopy.

 

Resources

Question​ Answer 1​ Answer 2​ Answer 3​ Answer 4​ Correct answer​ Correct explanation​ Page id​ Part of Pre-test​ Part of Post-test​
Sputum smears should be dried by heating.  True False     2 Sputum smears should be air-dried. Yes Yes

 

Clean, fresh, unscratched slides should be used for smear preparation.

True False     1 Prevents deposits on stained smear.   Yes Yes

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