During the smearing process, what is done after collecting the sample?

The appropriate action to take after collecting the sample during the smearing process is to make the smear. This involves spreading the sample onto a glass slide to form a thin layer suitable for microscopic examination. The purpose of making a smear is to evenly distribute the sample so that individual cells can be visualized under a microscope.

Sterilizing and recapping the tube is an important step for maintaining aseptic technique after obtaining a sample, but it does not occur immediately after collecting the sample for the smear. Heat fixing the slide and preparing the staining reagent follow the smear-making process and are key steps in preparing the sample for microscopy, but they do not occur right after the sample collection.

Thus, making the smear is the correct procedure to execute right after you collect the sample, as it sets the stage for subsequent steps in the analysis.