In all the chapters the Case Studies represent situations similar to those that the medical assistant may encounter in daily practice. Students are encouraged to consider the case study as they read each chapter.

You awoke this morning with a scratchy sore throat and slight fever. You decide to go to work at the doctor's office because you don't really feel that bad, but as the morning progresses, so do your symptoms. You ask the doctor for permission to have a throat culture obtained, and with approval, you ask another medical assistant to collect the specimen. While the specimen is being collected, you can't help but notice that the swab touches your lips and tongue, but not the back of your throat. The rapid strep test is negative, so the doctor does not prescribe any medication for you. The next morning when you arise, you feel much worse and have a temperature of 102.8°. When you return to the office, the doctor briefly examines you and decides to repeat the test; this one is properly collected and the results come back as positive for strep throat. You are then prescribed antibiotics and sent home to rest.

As you read this chapter, consider the following questions:

1. What is the proper technique for collecting a throat specimen?

2. Why do you think the first test result came back as negative?

3. What organism is responsible for causing strep throat?

4. What complications may have developed if you had not had another throat culture obtained and been prescribed antibiotics?