Exam 4- Accessory Chemicals and Review Flashcards
A group of chemicals used in addition to vascular and cavity fluids. Most are applied to the surface of the body (outside of the arterial system).
Accessory Chemicals
- Hardening compounds
- Preservative gels
- Preservative powders or embalming powders
- Sealing compounds
- Pack application
- Bleaching agents
- Tissue builder
- Triple base fluid
- Double based fluid
Germicidial, preservative, and dehydrating agents in a dry powdered form. They are direct contact solid chemicals used to treat the viscera.
Hardening compounds
A light sprinkling of this powder over all inner surfaces will deter putrefaction.
Purpose of Hardening Compound
- To treat the walls and skin flaps of the cranial, thoracic, abdominal, and pubic cavities after evisceration.
- Treat the viscera should the viscera be returned after an autopsy. Put in viscera bag.
- Applied to mutilated surface tissue, surface ulcers, gangrene, malignancies, burned cases, advanced decomposition. Use unionalls before sprinkling compound.
- Used as a reodorant powder on surface areas to hide or offset the odors of decomposition.
Uses of Hardening Compound
Always put these on first, then apply the powdered compound between these and surface tissues.
Plastic Goods
These start as aseptic wounds, as tissue becomes necrotic and cracks appear, bacteria invade and these become septic. The most common bacterial infections being:
- Staphlococcus
- Streptococcus
If this term shows up on a death certificate, it is important to notify the Medical Examiner.
Decubitus Ulcers (Bed Sores)
- Disinfectants and preservatives
- Dehydrating and hardening agents
- Moisture absorber
Components of Hardening Compounds
- Paraformaldehyde (CH2O)x -> x= different size
- Crystals
- Aluminum chloride AlCl3
- Alum Ka (SO4)2
- Phenol crystals (C6H5OH)x
Disinfectants and Preservatives (Hardening Compound Component)
Plaster of Paris (CaSO4)2- H2O (Never use, interacts with water)
- Can enter into embalmer’s lungs (dangerous)
- Can clog the sinks and piping system
Dehydrating and Hardening Agents (Hardening Compound Component)
- Clay
- Chalk-powder- whiting
- Wood flour
- Wood shavings
- Cork
- Salts
- Perlite (ground mothballs)
- Cellulose (sawdust)
Moisture Absorber (Hardening Compound Component)
It is recommended that the flaps and walls be jellied first, and then sprinkled with hardening compound.
Autopsied Cases
They are basically phenol in nature combined with penetrating agents in a gel or thick liquid form. Phenol-ingredient in gel prevents mold.
Preservative Gels (Mold Preventative Agents)
- Applied to expose surface tissues to prevent mold growth on cases held for long periods due to disposition.
- Applied to expose surface tissue to create rapid firmness to prevent decay and deter putrefaction.
- As a bleaching agent as long as there is no blood discoloration in the surface tissue.
- Can be used on autopsided bodies- applied to the skin along with hardening compound in the cavities to preserve. It does not absorb moisture.
Purpose of Preservative Gels
As a surface preservative, these gels are sufficient to deter decomposition long enouch for funeralization.
Preservative Gels
This a poor mold growth preventative; phenol is far superior for this function.
Formaldehyde
An example of this would be preservative gels applied over livor mortis or postmortem stain will cause severe graying of the tissues around the ears.
Preservative Gels as Bleaching agents Should not be Applied When there is Blood Discoloration in the Surface Tissue
- Basically the same as cavity fluid but mostly phenol.
- Paradichlorobenzene (“ene”= phenol) kills mold; most common in phenol.
Components of Preservative Gels
Highly germicidial agents in a dry powder form. They contain volatile agents and disinfect and preserve largely by the chemical fumes they liberate.
Preservative Powder
Preservative powder does not necessiarily need to be in direct contact with the surface tissue to effect preservation. They preserve by their ____ especially in a closed in or contained setting; put inside unional.
Fumes
- Preservation of the viscera if returned after an autopsy.
- Treatment of cavity walls and skin flaps on autopsied cases.
- Prevent adipocere tissue formation in autopsied cases.
- Surface embalming of problem areas such as mutilation, gangrene, ulcers, malignancies, burns, etc.
- Treatment of advanced decomposition when using a Ziegler Box or disaster pouch to emclose the remains.
Purpose of Preservative Powders
- Paraformaldehyde
- Polyoxymethylene
- Paradichlorobenzene
Compenents of Preservative Powder
Unlike hardening compounds, this is a non-moisture absorbing filler for preservative powders.
The Extender (Base)
- Preservative powders contain no moisture absorbing fillers and are not dehydrating.
- Preservative powders contain fungicidial agents and will inhibit mold growth.
- Preservative powders contain only active germicides and fungicides and no dehydrating fillers; therefore, they are more powerful disinfectants and preservatives than hardening compounds.
- Preservative powders are much more expensive than hardening compounds.
How do Preservative Powders Differ from Hardening Compounds?
Powders, creams, sprays, and liquid gels utilized to prevent leakage after injection of the remains.
Sealing Compounds
To provide a barrier or seal against any type of leakage of fluid or blood from incisions and other areas of the body.
Purpose of Sealing Compounds