Question: When performing a nasopharyngeal swab, which of the following practices should be avoided to ensure proper sample collection and patient safety? Need Assignment Help? Angling the swab upward instead of horizontally, increasing patient discomfort and reducing the likelihood of reaching the nasopharynx. Inserting the swab too shallowly, resulting in inadequate specimen collection. Both (a) and (b) Using a slow, steady insertion to allow for proper sample collection.