Embalming 1 Final Exam Flashcards
The consideration given to the dead body prior to, during, and to prescribe and apply the proper embalming technique, and after the embalming procedure is completed; documentation is required.
Embalming analysis (case analysis)
Intrinsic Factors
- Cause and Manner of death
- Body Condition
- Discoloration – possible to treat?
- Postmortem changes – chemical or physical changes
- Drugs – legal & otherwise
Extrinsic Factors
- Environmental (humidity, MO’s, vermin temperature).
- Postmortem interval – time posses who death occurred & embalming is preferred.
- Embalmer
records all information concerning the case, embalming procedure and other important information concerning the case.
Embalming case report
Initial treatment of the body
Note: No specific order in performing this procedure.
- Spray a disinfectant on the sheets before removing.
- The body should be positioned in the center of the embalming table with the head slightly higher than the rest of the body.
- Remove and record all clothing and personal effects, such as jewelry, (valuables should be securely stored until they can be returned to the family).
- Disinfect the clothing when necessary.
- Remove medical dressing, bandages or wrappings.
- Topical disinfecting (either spray or wash).
- Disinfect the oral and nasal cavities.
- Relieve rigor mortis.
- Position the head on a head rest so the neck is aligned in such a way that it will not interfere with fluid distribution or drainage.
- The head may be tilted to the right, approximately 15 degrees (slightly), which is the generally preferred casketing position.
- Place the hands in the desired position.
- Use additional impermeable posing devices as needed to position the body correctly.
Posing the features - create feature naturalness
- Shaving
- Closing the eyes
- Mouth closure
- Casketing
Shaving (if required) - in many cases, it improves the appearance of the deceased and assists in the application of cosmetics.
Note on shaving: The embalmer should check with the family with respect to a mustache or beard. Also, check concerning facial hair on females and infants. It is easier to shave a body after embalming than it is to restore the hair
Shaving
a. Apply warm water to the face with a washcloth.
b. Use shaving cream or soap to lather the face.
c. Shave in the direction of hair growth.
d. Use small short repeated strokes.
e. Clean the razor frequently with warm water.
f. Use a small piece of cotton, washcloth, or gauze to pull the skin taut and make an even surface for shaving.
g. After shaving, wash the face and apply massage cream.
Massage cream will:
Help retard dehydration.
Provide a base for massage.
Help to cleanse tissue pores.
Provide a base for cosmetics.
Closing the eyes
Important note: do not manipulate the eyelids any more than necessary.
a. If not already done so, disinfect the ocular cavity.
b. Hint - a small amount of massage cream under the lid may help with closure and protection against dehydration. Place cream on eye caps.
c. Eye caps may be used to help provide proper contour of the eyes.
d. When closing the eye, the lids should meet in a gentle downward arc with the line of closure with the upper lid covering two-thirds of the eye; lower lid covering one-third.
e. Eyelids about, not overlap.
Sunken eyes
- Place non-absorbent cotton and eye caps over the cotton.
- Inject massage cream or tissue builder behind the eyeball.
- Inject massage cream or tissue builder directly into the eyeball.
Enucleated eyes
- Remove any packing.
- Cauterize (to burn with a caustic material) the socket - this will close the small vessels to prevent leakage.
- Apply filler
a. Mortuary putty and eyecap.
b. Cotton and eyecap.
c. Prosthesis
Mouth closure
a. Relieve rigor mortis
b. Disinfect and cleanse oral cavity.
c. Remove, cleanse and disinfect dentures.
d. Observe normal bite.
I. Dentures
II. Mouth formers
III. Natural teeth
e. Secure the mouth (handout)
I. Needle injector
II. Masculature suture
III. Mandibular suture
IV. Wire through the bone (only in certain situations)
f. If the lips will not stay closed
I. Use creams to assist with closure.
II. Use wet cotton strips.
III. Use adhesives.
IV. Hypodermic of masseter muscle.
V. Subcutaneous suture
VI. Wax
g. Observe the following points of natural expression
I. Slight protrusion of the upper lip.
II. Corners of the mouth slightly raised.
III. Five arcs in the line of the upper lip.
h. Extreme prognathism (Buck Teeth)
I. Obtain written authorization
II. Realign teeth
III. Extract teeth
IV Let teeth show
Casketing
- Bring casket as close to the table as possible.
- Prepare the casket prior to placing remains in it. Raise bed to highest point.
- Place head of the remains as close to the head of the casket as possible
(except when the remains are short). - Depress the right shoulder slightly - which turns the body slightly to the right.
- the head should be slightly higher than the hands.
- Adjust hands, clothing and any other item.
The action of a force against an opposing force (a force applied or acting against resistance).
Pressure
Examples: blood clots, closed veins, etc. Recommended pressure is whatever pressure is necessary to overcome initial vascular resistance and distribute embalming solution to all areas of the body (this is ideal pressure).
speed at which fluid is injected, measured in ounces per minute.
Controlled by a valve on the embalming machine which controls the flow of fluid much like a water faucet.
Rate of flow
consist of a glass bottle (percolator), rubber tubing
and a device to suspend the bottle above the point of injection.
Gravity injector method
increased .43 pounds for every foot of elevation above the point of injection.
Exact Pressure
increased .5 pounds (1/2 pound) for every foot of elevation above the point of injection.
Approximately Pressure
The percolator is elevated 5 feet above the point of injection. How much injection pressure is created?
5 x .43 = 2.15 pounds
To create 3 pounds of injection pressure, how many feet, above the point of injection would the percolator need to be raised?
3 / .43 = 6.97 feet
consist of a hand operated pump, tubing and a goose neck arrangement and glass fluid bottle.
- This apparatus, for creating injecting pressure can be used for asperation.
Hand pump
simplest form of injection apparatus. Consists of a bulb type rubber syringe and rubber tubing.
Bulb syringe
most commonly used method of creating injection pressure.
Motorized force pump (centribugal)
fluid is injected in spurts.
Pulsating
fluid is injected on a continuous basis.
Non-pulsating
pressure indicated by the injector gauge needle when the injector motor is running and the arterial tubing is clamped off (stop cock).
Potential pressure
pressure indicated by the injector gauge needle when the arterial tube is open and the arterial solution is flowing into the body.
Actual pressure
difference between potential and actual pressure considerations for force pump embalming machines.
Differential pressure
Consideration for Force Pump Embalming Machines:
Reliable - if taking care of by cleaning.
Wide pressure range - some as high as 200 pounds. Most embalmers use about 5 - 15 pounds of pressure.
Constant pressure Large unit volume - usually at least 3 gallons.
Precautions for forced pumps (disadvantages)
Needs frequent servicing - mostly the tubing.
Requires constant attention of the operator.
Factors affecting injection pressure
Intravascular influence
Local congestion of the blood in the area
Extravascular influences
those within the vessels.
Condition of the vessels - normal vs. sclerotic. Normal cases less resistance.
Intravascular influence
”?” of the blood in the area prevents the flow of additional fluid in an area.
Local congestion
those outside the vessels.
- Weight of the viscera
- Gas in the viscera
- Tumors - pressing against the outside wall of the arteries.
- Ascites - abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity.
- Contact pressure - results from bandages, clothing, etc. Also contact with certain areas of the body with the embalming table and positioning devices.
- Edema of the extremities.
Extravascular influences
Weight of the viscera
pressing mainly on the descending aorta.
Gas in the viscera
pressure against the descending aorta.
Tumors
pressing against the outside wall of the arteries.
Ascites
abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity.
Contact pressure
results from bandages, clothing, etc. Also contact with certain areas of the body with the embalming table and positioning devices.
generalized edema throughout the body
ANASARCA
time between death and the embalming process.
Post-mortem interval
Presence of rigor mortis
State of decomposition
Discoloration
Liver mortis or cadaveric lividity
1
an imaginary line drawn on the surface of the skin to represent the approximate location of some deeper laying structure.
Linear guide
a method of locating a structure of reference to an adjacent known prominent structure.
Anatomical guide
the points of origin and points of termination in relation to adjacent structures.
Anatomical limits
