Why should a sterile swab be moistened before use?

Moistening a sterile swab before use is important because it minimizes cell damage during the collection process. When swabs are dry, they can be abrasive and may cause trauma to the cells being sampled, which could lead to destruction or alteration of the cellular architecture. A moistened swab provides a less aggressive method of collection, allowing for more intact cells to be gathered without compromising their viability or morphology. This is particularly crucial in cytology, where the integrity of the cell sample is essential for accurate diagnosis and analysis.

Other factors such as visibility or contamination are essential in their own right, but they do not address the primary concern of cellular preservation during the sampling process as effectively as moisture does.