Handbook of Autopsy Practice 4th ed.

Question 1

1. Which of the following is often cited as a possible reason for the decline in autopsy rates?
   A. The autopsy will prolong the grieving period of the decedent’s family
   B. The autopsy procedure takes up too much of a pathologist’s time
   C. The autopsy will not reveal information above and beyond current sophisticated imaging studies
   D. The autopsy serves no educational benefit

Question 2

2. If a patient dies of a medical complication that is hemorrhagic in nature, you should: A. Take photographs prior to evacuation of the blood
   B. Allow the clinician to assist in determining the cause
   C. Drain the blood quickly to identify the site of hemorrhage
   D. Review the clinician’s previous case history for similar complications

Question 3

3. Digesting fixed or unfixed lung tissue in 5.25% sodium hypochlorite can be useful in the quantification of __________.
   A. Carbon B. Asbestos C. Amyloid D. Iron

Question 4

4. Commonly, the pancreas demonstrates a blotchy dark red pattern which is caused by: A. Congestion
   B. Autolysis
   C. Pancreatitis D. Trauma

Question 5

5. This method of heart dissection is useful for preparation of dry cardiac specimens or plastination.
   A. Four-Chamber Method B. Long-Axis Method
   C. Base of Heart Method D. Window Method

Question 6

6. If there is a suspicion of inferoseptal myocardial infarct, what section of heart should be taken?
   A. Inferior wall of the left ventricle B. Inferior wall of the right ventricle C. Lateral wall of the left ventricle D. Lateral wall of the right ventricle

Question 7

7. Sampling of the middle and superior frontal gyri of the brain during an autopsy can be useful because:
   A. This is an arterial border zone most likely to harbor small ischemic lesions
   B. This area is often a sensitive indicator of anoxic-ischemic changes
   C. This area often reflects toxic metabolic conditions
   D. Neurofibrillary tangles, neuritic plaques and aging changes make their first appearance here

Question 8

8. This muscle is easily accessible during an autopsy and can be sampled to show the effects of general systemic disease on the skeletal muscles.
   A. Biceps femoris
   B. Sternocleidomastoid C. Biceps brachii
   D. Iliopsoas

Question 9

9. Which of the following is a means to orient an ocular specimen:
   A. The superior aspect is characterized by the tendinous insertion of the superior rectus muscle
   B. The prominent ciliary vessels lie on the temporal side
   C. The vertical plane is characterized by the posterior ciliary vessels
   D. The temporal side is characterized by the insertion of the inferior oblique muscle

Question 10

10. The use of this stain can help give adequate examination of the membranes and the lens capsule of ocular specimens.
    A. Methylene blue
    B. Giemsa Wright
    C. Periodic-acid Schiff D. Acid fast

Question 11

11. This chemical mixture is ideal for disinfecting most components of the autopsy laboratory.
    A. 10% acetic acid
    B. 10% sodium bicarbonate
    C. 10% formic acid
    D. 10% sodium hypochlorite

Question 12

12. According to CAP, wet tissue from non-forensic autopsies must be retained until _______ after completion of the final report.
    A. Six months
    B. One year
    C. Three months D. 10 years

Question 13

12. According to CAP, wet tissue from non-forensic autopsies must be retained until _______ after completion of the final report.
    A. Six months
    B. One year
    C. Three months D. 10 years