Embalming: Quarter 1 Final (COMPLETE) Flashcards
(91 cards)
1
Q
Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease/CJD-
A
rare degenerative disease of the brain with unknown etiology caused by a prion.
2
Q
Electric Spatula (Tissue Reducer)
A
electrically-heated blade which may be used to dry moist tissue, reduce swollen tissue, and restore contour to natural form.
3
Q
Groove Director
A
instrument used to guide drainage devices into veins
4
Q
Autolysis
A
self-destruction of cells; decomposition of all tissues by enzymes of their own formation without microbial assistance.
5
Q
Autoclave
A
apparatus used for sterilization by steam pressure.
6
Q
Hydroaspirator
A
apparatus that utilizes a water supply to create suction and is used to aspirate the contents of the body cavities
7
Q
Decay
A
decomposition of proteins by enzymes of aerobic bacteria
8
Q
Accessory Chemical
A
a group of preservative chemicals used in addition to vascular (arterial) and cavity embalming fluids; most are applied to the body surface.
9
Q
Agonal Algor
A
decrease in body temperature immediately before death.
10
Q
Postmortem Caloricity
A
rise in body temperature after death due to continued cellular metabolism
11
Q
Necrosis
A
Pathological death of a tissue still apart of the living organism
12
Q
Necrobiosis
A
Antemortem, physiological death of the cells of the body followed by their replacement
13
Q
Putrefaction
A
Decomposition of proteins by the action of enzymes from anaerobic bacteria
14
Q
Cadaver
A
Dead human body used for medical purposes.
15
Q
Disinfection
A
destruction and/or inhibition of most pathogenic organisms and their products in or on the body
16
Q
Restoration
A
Treatment of the deceased in the attempt to recreate natural form and color
17
Q
Embalming
A
process of chemically treating human remains to reduce the presence and growth of microorganisms, to temporarily inhibit organic decomposition, and to restore an acceptable appearance
18
Q
Universal Precautions
A
An approach to infection control in which all human blood and certain human body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious
19
Q
Aneurysm Hook
A
Embalming instrument that is used for blunt dissection and raising vessels
20
Q
Aneurysm Needle
A
embalming instrument that is used for blunt dissection with an eye in the hook portion of the instrument for placing ligatures around raised vessels
21
Q
Difference between aneurysm hook and aneurysm needle
A
- The aneurysm needle has an “eye” to be used for passing ligature.
- The aneurysm hook has a sharp pointed tip for dissection
22
Q
Angular Spring Forceps
A
Drainage instrument designed for the removal of venous blood clots
23
Q
Sealing Agent
A
Material used to provide a barrier or seal against leakage of fluid or blood
24
Q
Hardening Compound
A
Chemical in powder form that has the ability to absorb moisture and/or preserve tissue; used in cavity treatment of autopsied cases
25
Agonal Period
A period of time immediately before death
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Purge
Postmortem evacuation of any substance from an external orifice of the body as a result of pressure
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Clinical Death
Phases of somatic death lasting from 5-6 minutes during which life may be restored.
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Biological Death
Irreversible Somatic death
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Cellular Death
Death of the individual cells of the body
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Somatic Death
Death of the organism as a whole
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Hemolysis
Destruction of red blood cells that releases heme
32
Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL)
- the legal maximum average of formaldehyde exposure for a 15-minute time period.
- Concentration must be below 2ppm (parts/million)
33
Postmortem Physical Changes and Examples
- Natural forces of nature cause changes in the physical state of the body or body tissues
- Natural physical changes do not change the chemical composition of the body
Ex. algor mortis, dehydration, hypostasis, increase in blood viscosity
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Postmortem Chemical Changes
- Changes generated by chemical activities that result in the formation of new chemical substances.
- Postmortem processes are largely dependent on autolytic enzymes that stimulate chemical reactions in tissues
Ex. Postmortem caloricity, change in body pH, rigor mortis, postmortem stain, decomposition
35
Extrinsic Factors
Factors that are present on the outside of the body that have a direct influence on the body such as temperature, humidity, vermin, time between death and preparation, and time between preparation and disposition, algor mortis
36
Hypostasis
- A process by which blood settles, as a result of gravitational movement within the vessels to the dependent or lower parts of the body
- Affected by: position of the body, constrictions, ligatures, and other factors that impede free movement of the blood
37
Hypovalve Trocar
Instrument designed for hypodermic treatments, Used for injection, not aspiration.
38
What causes the change from livor mortis to postmortem stain?
After death, blood settles into the vessels of the dependent areas of the body (hypostasis).
Blood pooling results in intravascular discoloration (Livor Mortis).
After 6-10 hours after death, blood cells rupture and destruct (hemolysis).
The destruction of blood cells causes extravascular discoloration (postmortem stain)
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Livor Mortis
Postmortem, intravascular blood discoloration that occurs because of hypostasis.
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Postmortem Hypostasis
the intravascular pooling of blood in gravitationally dependent parts of the body after death.
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Antemortem Hypostasis
- Hypostasis that occurs prior to death
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Agonal Hypostasis
settling of the blood into dependent areas of the body that occurs just prior to death; allows the force of gravity to overcome the force of circulation.
- One of the three circulatory changes during the agonal period.
- earliest possible stage of blood discoloration
43
How does the pH in the body change after death?
After death, blood pH drops and tissue fluid moves into the acid range. The body remains acidic during rigor mortis and then gradually, as decomposition process advances, the body becomes increasingly alkaline.
44
Rigor Mortis
The postmortem stiffening of muscles by natural processes. (Occurs only in muscles, and once complete, never reoccurs)
- observed 2-4 hours after death
45
1) What is the ideal temperature for rigor mortis to occur?
2) Where does rigor mortis occur?
1) Ideal temperature is 98-100 degrees F
2) Begins in the eyes, jaw, face neck, upper extremities, trunk, then lower extremities
46
Stages of Rigor Mortis
1) Primary Flaccidity: complete relaxation of muscle in the period immediately after somatic death
2) Rigor Mortis: stiffening
3) Secondary Flaccidity: muscles begin to loosen due to continued chemical changes within the cells and internal tissue decay.
47
Visual Indications of Decomposition
1) Color Change: greenish color around lower right abdomen then expands
2) Odor
3) Desquamation (Skin Slip)
4) Gases: gases accumulate in the abdominal cavity, causing it to swell
5) Purge
48
Nysten's Law
- describes the sequential onset of rigor mortis in the various muscle groups.
- A law stating that rigor mortis begins with the eyes and muscles of mastication and progresses from the head down the body, affecting the legs and feet last.
49
Taphonomy Category Examples
The scientific study of decomposition
The study of the processes of burial, decay, preservation
Stages of taphonomy: disarticulation, dispersal, accumulation, fossilization, and mechanical alteration
50
Expert Tests of Death
Actions/instruments used by a medically trained professional in the pronouncement of death
1) stethoscope
2) Ophthalmoscope
3) Electroencephalogram (EEG)
4) Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)
5) Evoked Response
51
Types of Embalming
1) Arterial Embalming/ Vascular Embalming: vascular system using embalming machine and cannula
2) Cavity Embalming: direct treatment with a trocar; aspiration and injection
3) Hypodermic Embalming: supplemental procedure; inject fluid directly using a hypodermic syringe
4)Surface Embalming: chemical on a cotton swab and put directly on skin
52
Permissible Exposure Limit (TWA or PEL)
- regulatory limits on the amount or concentration of a substance in the air.
- 0.75 ppm over an 8-hour period
53
How often and when should formaldehyde testing take place?
- Performed once a year
- "worst case environment": when the most embalming are being taken place
- 2 consecutive retests at least 7 days apart
- if above the limit, a test must be done every 6 months for PEL and every 12 months for STEL.
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Preservation
The science of treating the dead human body chemically so as to temporarily inhibit decomposition
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Bistoury Knife
A curved cutting instrument designed for blunt dissection
- cuts from inside outwards.
- used during embalming to open arteries
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Items Listed on Embalming Report
Embalmer/Funeral Home
- Name and info on deceased
- ship in conditions
- conditions prior to embalming
- preparation of the body
- preservative treatments used
- Arterial fluids and solutions used
- Completion (incisions, gluing, powders and plastics used)
- Body Outline
- Description of restorative treatments, cosmetic treatments
57
Ptomaines (study the examples more than definition)
- otherwise known as corpse odors or foul amines
- a group of malodorous amine compounds formed by the action of putrefactive bacteria
- Indole, Skatole, Cadaverine, Putrescine
58
Bacterial Translocation
- the movement of viable bacteria from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to extraintestinal sites
- caused by motility of bacteria, entering blood, hypostasis
59
Moisture Shifts in the Agonal Phase
One of two things happen:
1. Agonal edema occurs, causing an increase in the amount of moisture or fluids into the tissues and body cavities
2. Agonal dehydration decreases the amount of moisture or fluids in the tissues, possibly as a result of capillary expansions
It's best to consider agonal moisture changes in a "shift" in moisture from one place in the body to another because all the moisture that was in the body is still there, it has only moved.
60
Brain Death and Phases
A function of time without oxygen or blood circulation to the brain; This is the period of time when organs (not tissue) must be harvested for donation.
- Cerebral cortex, then midbrain, then brain stem
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1) Causes 2) Signs of Postmortem Dehydration
1) Loss of Body temperature (surface evaporation, or gravitation), Hypostasis of blood and fluids
2) Causes blood sludge; tissues to darken, shrink, and wrinkle, yellow or red hues on skin; will continue to darken
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Practical Purpose of Embalming
- to slow the degenerative changes that occur naturally after death
- gives time for family and friends to mourn and assimilate
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Ethics of an Embalmer
Funeral directors and embalmers have a legal and ethical responsibility to provide fair, non judgmental and competent information and service
- courtesy, tact, and dicretion
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Action Level vs Other Levels
The action level is 0.5 ppm/8 hours
-PEL (TWA) is 0.75 ppm in 8 hours
- STEL is below 2 ppm in 15 minutes
65
Gravity Injector Rate
.43 ppm/ft of elevation
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Objectives of Restoration
Restoration is not to reproduce life but rather to lessen the effects of illness, trauma, and the myriad of naturally occurring postmortem changes
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Overexposure to Formaldehyde Examples
Skin irritation
eyes nose and throat irritation
upper respiratory irritations.
68
OSHA
- to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for workers by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.
- will represent an injured party in a workman's compensation claim
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Length of time permitted when medically removed from work because of formaldehyde
up to 6 months
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Disinfection and Types
Destruction and/or inhibition of most pathogenic organisms and their products in or on the body
- Primary Disinfection: disinfection procedures done before the embalming
- Concurrent disinfection: the cleaning of the body at the time of embalming the body
- Terminal/ Secondary Disinfection: cleaning and disinfection of body and instruments after the embalming
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Purposes of Embalming
disinfection/sanitation, preservation, and restoration of human remains
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Legal Regulation of Embalming
- Embalming is not required by law
- Funeral homes must embalm, refrigerate, or place in a sealed casket if body is not expected to reach destination within 24 hours
- OSHA, FTC, CDC, EPA, State Board of E&FD, Board of Health
73
Holding Room (study the uses more than definition)
the area in a funeral home, crematory facility, or embalming facility exclusively used for the preparation (other than embalming) and holding of dead human bodies for burial or final disposition.
- Used for dressing, casketing, cosmetology, hairstyling, temporary storage, prep for id viewing, religious/cultural practices, cavity aspiration or reaspiration
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Occupational Hazards to an Embalmer
a risk accepted as a consequence of a particular occupation.
-Eye, nose, throat irritation
- exposure to bloodborne pathogens
- cancer, leukemia
- respiratory issues, diseases
- strain from lifting/moving heavy things
75
Size of Prep Room needed for X number of cases
- 100 calls; 120-150 ft squared; 1 table
- 150-350 call; 400 ft squared; two tables
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Air Exchange for Prep Room
15 air exchanges per hour
average is 12-20 per hour for most states
77
Bandage Scissors
instrument designed to cut bandages; one or both blades are paddle-shaped
78
Hand Pump
Historical instrument resembling a large hypodermic syringe attached to a bottle apparatus
- used to create either pressure for injection or suction for aspiration
- used for embalmings that took place at a home
79
Hemostat (Locking Forceps)
instrument used to clamp leaking vessels
- maybe smooth or rat toothed
- dressing forceps can be used for packing orifices
- arterial fixation forceps are designed for holding the arterial tube
80
Trocar Button
A threaded nylon device used for closing the trocar insertion site; can be used to close small punctures
81
Preinjection Fluid
- Fluid injected primarily to prepare the vascular system and body tissues for the injection of the preservative vascular/arterial solution.
- is injected before the preservative solution is injected
(ex. one point by pierce)
82
Mold Preventative Agents
- topical agents such as a gel or spray; primarily phenol or thymol
- some embalming solutions may contain mold inhibitors for cases with a long mortuary stay
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Preservative Functions
- alters enzymes
- inactivates bacteria
- converts decomposable tissue to a form less susceptible to decomposition
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Body mass to surface ratio relating to algor mortis
a body with more mass will be better insulated against heat loss and will, therefore, cool at a slower rate
(Children lose heat more quickly because their surface area to mass ratio is much greater than that of adults)
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Most important factor in decomposition
Proteins
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Cannula vs Arterial tube
- instrument used to inject embalming fluid into the vascular system
- same thing
87
Cannula vs Arterial tube
- instrument used to inject embalming fluid into the vascular system
- same thing
88
Temperatures in relation to chemical reactions
higher temperatures speed up chemical reactions
89
Prep Room Setup
- of sufficient size, basement, first or second floor
- exhaust fan that provides at least 12 air changes per hour
- must have a functional aspirator, eye wash, and quick drench shower.
- must be private and have no general passageway through it
- floor drain in the corner of room
- 3 ft minimum door
- All plumbing fixtures, water supply lines, plumbing vents, and waste drains shall be properly vented and connected
- nonporous flooring,
- walls must be tile,plaster or sheetrock painted with washable paint, or other appropriate sanitary material
- windows must prevent viewing
- building must be constructed to hold odors
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Cellular Inhibition
- cessation of cellular movement, growth, and division upon contact with other cells.
- a chemical that blocks cell division
91
Diseases affecting pregnant women
toxoplasmosis
