Embalming 3- Exam 1

Question 1

A post mortem evacuation of any substance from an external orifice of the body due to pressure. You may notice prior to embalming, during embalming, or even after

Answer 1

PURGE

Question 2

types of purge; all these types may contain blood

Answer 2

stomach
lung
brain
rectal
vascular (false)

Question 3

types of purge; liquid, has a coffee ground appearance, sour odor, contains acid,
Usually exits through the nose and/or mouth. (Causes dehydration.)

Answer 3

stomach

Question 4

types of purge; frothy - white, no odor, usually exists through the nose and/or mouth. Can easily be confused with the suds from the disinfectant used to clean the mouth. (No dehydration)

Answer 4

lung

Question 5

types of purge; creamy - white, no odor, usually exits through the ears and/or nose. Can come from mouth also

Answer 5

brain

Question 6

types of purge; feces escaping from the rectum

Answer 6

rectal

Question 7

types of purge; color and consistency similar to arterial solution. This purge is arterial fluid due to the deterioration of the vascular system

Answer 7

vascular (false)

Question 8

three types of treatment of purge prior to embalming

Answer 8

massage cream
nasal tube aspiration
trocar/scalpel balse

Question 9

massage cream is applied over the areas which purge material to do what?

Answer 9

minimize burning

Question 10

treatment of purge during embalming

Answer 10

a. All procedure may be followed for prior to embalming
b. IF there is vascular purge, it may result from a break in the vascular system, therefore: a multi-point injection may be needed
c. Sectional injection may be necessary
d. Hypodermic embalming may be needed to supplement arterial injection
e. Allow the body to purge

Question 11

treatment of purge following arterial and cavity embalming

Answer 11

Nasal Tube Aspirator

Re-Aspiration and Reinjection until the purge is controlled

Question 12

This treatment should be performed if a brain purge is present

Answer 12

Cranial Cavity Treatment

Question 13

Reasons for drainage

Answer 13

Diminish secondary dilution, 5 to 6 quarts for blood in human body.
 Remove intravascular discoloration– livor mortis in system. (Discoloration is removed with bleaching agent)
 Helps prevent distention – remove moisture, not to mummify body
 Makes for additional room to disinfect fluids (helps to permit disinfection).

Question 14

Components of Drainage

Answer 14

 Arterial solution
 Liquid blood and blood clots
 Lymphatic fluid
 Interstitial fluid

Question 15

Components of Drainage; it has been estimated that 50 % of drainage is actually

Answer 15

arterial solution. 50% remains in arteries.

Question 16

Components of Drainage; post mortem clots, jelly like stuff and yellow fatty clots called chicken fat

Answer 16

Liquid blood and blood clots

Question 17

Components of Drainage; spring like Latin term – lymph enters blood stream ¾ of lymph fluid is drained in ?

Answer 17

thoracic duct

Question 18

Components of Drainage; tissue fluid, excesses amount of fluid in tissue, edema cases

Answer 18

Interstitial fluid

Question 19

methods of drainage

Answer 19

alternate
intermittent
concurrent (continuous)
direct heart (heart tap)

Question 20

method of drainage; arterial solution is never injected while drainage is taken. (Note- alternate between drain and injection). Least frequently practiced because of the time involved

Answer 20

alternate drainage

Question 21

arterial solution is injected w/ no drainage (approximately a quart or 2 until the superficial vessels distend).
Then injection is stopped and drainage is allowed. This processes is continued until body is embalmed

Answer 21

alternate drainage

Question 22

ADVANTAGES OF ALTERNATE DRAINAGE

Answer 22

 Develops more uniformed intravascular pressure
 More complete fluid distribution is achieved.
 Fluid diffusion is enhanced.
 Final results is a better embalmed body.
 Prevents short circuiting – liquid substance does not resist flow. Less avenues for blood to travel.

Question 23

PRECAUTIONS OF ALTERNATE DRAINAGE

Answer 23

 Care must be taken to avoid distention (distention is possible with any method of injection and drainage)
 May increase embalming time slightly. (remember this is not a timed event)

Question 24

method of drainage; continuous injection with drainage taken at intervals; use of drain tube. Compromise between alternate and current methods, helps prevent short circuiting.

Answer 24

intermittent drainage

Question 25

method of drainage; injection and drainage proceed at the same time throughout the embalming procedure, no resistance is present. This is the most commonly practiced method, but is the least effective procedure

Answer 25

concurrent (continuous) drainage

Question 26

PRECAUTIONS OF CONCURRENT (CONTINUOUS) DRAINAGE

Answer 26

 Difficult to attain sufficient pressure to saturate the tissues throughout the body.
 Fluid will follow a point at least resistance developing short circuits.
 Embalming solution will be lost in the drainage

Question 27

This method is recommended ONLY in special situations where a vein cannot be used for drainage.

Answer 27

direct heart drainage (heart tap)

Question 28

procedure for heart tap

Answer 28

Inject approximately ½ to one gallon of arterial fluid. Insert trocar into the right side of the heart by using the trocar guide for the heart. The trocar may be attached to the hydro-aspirator, however DO NOT turn the hydro-aspirator on FULL

Question 29

precautions for using direct heart drainage (heart tap)

Answer 29

should the trocar puncture the ascending aorta on the arch, it may necessitate a multi-site injection procedure. (6pt injection).

Question 30

TECHNIQUES ON IMPROVING DRAINAGE –

Answer 30

 Selection of a large vein
 Selection of large drain instrument.
 Injection of a pre-injection fluid
 Use of massage toward the point of drainage.
 Increase rate of flow or increase injection pressure.
 Selection of another drainage site.
 Intermittent or alternate forms of drainage.

Question 31

when embalming an infant case, what are the pre-embalming considerations in regards to feature setting

Answer 31

no eye-caps or mouth formers, use natural lip closure- use glue if needed

Question 32

when embalming an infant case, how should you position the body?

Answer 32

“hold-up” style, with feet turned inward

Question 33

what solution strength should you use for an infant case?

Answer 33

usually use weakest (18 index)

Question 34

injection site for an infant case?

Answer 34

abdominal aorta and IVC

descending abdominal aorta initial site of injection in non-autopsied infant case

Question 35

where should you make your incision for an infant case?

Answer 35

small mid-line incision beneath the umbilicus

Question 36

post embalming considerations for an infant case

Answer 36

use same incision for trocar. Less than two insert in fontanel. Infant trocar 5/16 and 7” length.
o Closing and sealing of incisions- use liquid sealer and a small piece of cotton over that
o Cleaning and disinfecting procedures

Question 37

best form of mouth closure

Answer 37

needle injector

Question 38

Ship out/Ship-in

• Embalming considerations

Answer 38

o Primary disinfection
o Feature setting- use needle injection (best form of mouth closure)
o Greater Solution strength and volume
o Cavity treatment

Question 39

Ship out/Ship-in

• Post-Embalming Preparation

Answer 39

o Incision closing and sealing (lock stitch)
o Treatment of all orifices
o Terminal disinfection of body
o Leakage precautions (may use plastic protectors, coveralls, unionalls)
o Stabilizing techniques in casket or shipping case
o Embalming documentation- burial transit permit, embalming case report