What tool is typically used to perform a fungal culture?

A swab is the appropriate tool for performing a fungal culture because it allows for the collection of samples from infected or potentially infected areas on the skin, mucous membranes, or other tissues. The swab can effectively gather enough material for growth in a culture medium specifically designed to encourage the development of fungi, such as Sabouraud dextrose agar. This method is non-invasive and versatile, making it ideal for various fungal infections.

Using a scalpel might be applicable in certain situations where a more invasive procedure is needed, such as when obtaining tissue samples; however, it is not the standard for fungal cultures. A pipette is primarily used for transferring or measuring liquids rather than collecting samples for cultures. Lastly, while a microscope is essential for examining the cultured samples and making a diagnosis, it is not used to collect samples for the culture itself. Therefore, a swab stands out as the correct instrument for initiating a fungal culture.