Exam 5 Flashcards
What do high temperatures (over 100 degrees) do to HCHO?
Accelerates polymerization/precipitation
What do high temperatures (over 100 degrees) do to disinfectants and preservatives?
Breaks them down
Storing fluids in extreme cold (less than 32 degrees) causes what to solutes?
Polymerization/precipitation
What is the ideal temperature for fluid storage?
55 degrees
Methanol is incorporated into embalming fluid as what?
An anti-polymerization agent
What does methanol do to HCHO?
Extends shelf life
The average shelf life of embalming fluid is between?
2-5 years
Without methanol, HCHO will polymerize into what?
Paraformaldehyde Crystals
If HCHO polymerizes into paraformaldehyde crystals, formalin then forms what?
Formic Acid
Once methanol breaks down, the fluid becomes _________
Useless
What is paraformaldehyde used in?
Preservative powders
Shelf life is prolonged by adding what to embalming fluid
Buffers
Strongly alkaline solutions cause this, which is the breakdown of HCHO
Cannizzaro’s reaction
What kind of solutions cause Cannizzaro’s reaction?
Strongly Alkaline
Highly acidic solutions promotes what?
Precipitation/polymerization
What kind of solutions promote precipitation/polymerization
Highly Acidic
What kind of solutions promote precipitation/polymerization
Highly Acidic
What kind of solution is best for arterial fluid?
Slighlty acidic (7.3)
Light causes a color change to embalming fluids, interfering with the eventual reaction of what?
Cosmetic dyes
Light increases what of the formaldehyde?
Polymerization
Light increases what of the formaldehyde?
Polymerization
The breakdown of active dyes and precipitation/polymerization can be delayed and shelf life extended by the utilization of what?
Tinted bottles and containers
List the factors that influence the stability of shelf life
Temperature Time pH Light Quality of methanol to prevent polymerization
All embalming chemicals are caustic in nature and will damage what?
Tissue and mucous membranes
What kind of gloves should be work?
Latex or nitral
To protect the embalmer’s respiratory tract, these should always be utilized
Exhaust Ventilation
This occurs in the tank of your injection
Primary dilution
The dilution of the concentrated fluid with the water to form the arterial fluid solution
Primary Dilution
The union of the tissue juices and liquids of the body with the arterial fluid solution to further reduce the concentration of the preservative ingredients
Secondary Dilution
Where does secondary dilution always occur?
Within the body
This is the key variable in determining both primary and secondary dilution
Moisture Content of the body
It is the degree of this which largely determines variation in the primary dilution
Secondary Dilution
The normal index for a moderate fluid in the bottle is?
20-26
The normal index in the tank is?
2%
No set volume
70% tissue saturation
What do most moderate fluids contain?
Humectants and active dyes
The moisture content of a so-called normal adult body is said to be as high as
75% total body weight
The moisture content of an edematous body can be as high as
85% total body weight
The moisture content of a dehydrated body can be as high as
65% total body weight
These play an important part in determining the characteristics of the different embalming fluids and in controlling to a large extent the reactions between the cellular tissues and the chemical solution
Salts
If a salt is added to a liquid, this results
A solution
If a salt is added to a liquid, this results
A solution
When the salt has completely dissolved in the water and is thoroughly mixed by agitation, the result is?
A TRUE solution
The more solute added to the solvent, the more __________ the solution becomes
Conecntrated
The strength of the solution indicates how much ______ is present
Solute
The amount of solute in a solution has a direct effect on the ____________ of the solution
Density
Weight per unit volume
Density
Density is expressed in terms of?
Grams per cubic centimeter or pounds per cubic foot
It is often desirable to compare the weight of a given volume of a substance with an equal volume of water. This ratio is called
Specific Gravity
The density of salt concentration of a solution is frequently compared to that of what?
Blood
If a solution contains less of a dissolved substance than is found in blood, it is said to be
Hypotonic
If a solution contains more dissolved substance than is found in blood, it is said to be
Hypertonic
If a solution contains the same amount of solute as found in the blood, it is said to be
Isotonic
A solution will penetrate to the side containing the more _______ solution
Dense
Never more than _________ of pre-inection
One Gallon
If too much concentrated fluid is used, a ________ tonic solution results
Hypertonic
A hypertonic solution, being more concentrated, will have the effect of doing what?
Removing too much moisture
Removing too much moisture causes what?
Over-dehydration
How many bottles should be used per gallon of co-injection for anasarca
One bottle
How many bottles should be used per gallon of co-injection for anasarca
One bottle
Edematous fluids are what kind of fluids?
Hypertonic
An embalming solution less dense than the tissue liquids is said to be
Hypotonic
A hypotonic embalming solution will do what?
Flow rapidly through the capillary walls into the soft tissue areas
If the solution is hypertonic, it will do what?
Draw tissue liquid through the capillary wall into the circulatory system and away from the soft tissue areas
What do surfactants do in terms of surface tension?
Lowers surface tension of the embalming fluid
Surfactants reduce __________ (not surface tension)
Viscosity
Surfactants reduce viscosity, which leads to
Better penetration, and better preservation
Surfactants reduce viscosity, which leads to
Better penetration, and better preservation
Suractants reduce the capillary attraction, causing what?
The almost immediate clearing of blood from the capillaries
It is only what fluids that have any chance of being absorbed by the cells of the body
The fluids that osmose through the capillary walls into the intracellular spaces
Surfactants increase the ability of the fluid to filter through the semi-permeable capillary walls in an _____________________
Even and uniform manner
Surfactants increase the ability of the fluid to filter through the semi-permeable capillary walls in an even and uniform manner, making it is possible to incorporate these in the fluid to obtain a natural coloring and texture of the skin
Active Dyes
A process by which the solvent of a solution passes through a semi-permeable membrane from a less dense to a more dense solution
Osmosis (Hindered Diffusion)
When a crystalloid solution is separated by a semi-permeable membrane, which permits the penetration of crystalloids but excludes colloids, then a water is drawn by osmotic attraction into the colloidal mixture, the dissolved crystalloids will be drawn in as well
Dialysis (Selective diffusion)
In dialysis, when a crystalloid solution is separated by a semi-permeable membrane, the membrane permits,crystalloids, but excludes what?
Colloids
In dialysis, a water is drawn by osmotic attraction into the colloidal mixture, and these will be drawn in as well
Dissolved Crystalloids
The pH of the medium in which the chemical reaction takes place controls to a great extent the type of action that occurs between what?
Preservative chemicals and tissues
In an alkaline condition, tissues tend to do what?
Retain their natural color and better internal cosmetic effect is possible
Under prolonged periods, aldehydes tend to do what?
Lose their potency in the presence of alkaline conditions
Under prolonged periods, aldehydes tend to do what?
Lose their potency in the presence of alkaline conditions
Preservative solutions in an acid medium tend to do what?
Produce rapid coagulation of proteins
Preservative solutions in an acid medium tend to do what to the tissues
Turn the ashen-gray
Immediately following molecular cellular death, the pH of blood and body liquids drops from the normal 7.4 to a pH of what?
as low as 5.5
As rigor mortis passes, the pH becomes ________
Alkaline
The pH condition of the body at the time of embalming depends on what?
The post mortem interval, and the specific cause of death
Some sort of control should be used to maintain a more or less _____________ in all cases
Uniform Chemical Medium
The class of chemicals used as controls in embalming fluids are known as what?
Buffer agents
Buffer agents have the ability to absorb this so that the condition remains at the desired pH
Excess amounts of acid or alkali
The amount of fluid to be used in an aqueous solution
Solution Volume
This is perhaps the factor of primary importance in determining the arterial solution volume
Tissue Capacity
List the factors directly related to HCHO demand
Index of the primary dilution in the tank
Drainage loss
HCHO residual
Volume
Too little concentration causes
Water-logging
Too much concentration causes
Dehydration/Desiccation
The index of the arterial fluid solution in primary dilution
Strength of injection
The index of the arterial fluid solution in primary dilution
Strength of injection
The only safe procedure for any embalmeris to completely saturate the tissue of every remains with a solution of sufficient strength to destroy
MOST Microorganisms
Most experts feel that minimal disinfection standards should be set at
70% tissue saturation by HCHO gas with primary dilution at 2% index in primary dilution
What are the historical standards for arterial fluid solution?
1 gallon of 1% AFS per 50 lbs
In extreme cases, what is the index in primary dilution sufficient to deal with most embalming problems?
5%
The temperature of ordinary tap water procedures highly desirable results in the vast majority of cases, and the temperature is?
60 degrees F
This seems to be best for encouraging good drainage
Cold Water
This seems to be best for encouraging good drainage
Cold Water
Never, ever inject a frozen body with hot water. Why?
Because liquid blood drainage will coagulate causing the body to swell severely
Describe hot water embalming
Heat acts as a catalyst to liberate HCHO gas rapidly
What is the end result of Hot water embalming?
Rapid firmness of tissue but only in confined areas near the point of injection
When should hot water embalming be utilized?
In cases of advanced decomposition
Where drainage is minimal or non-existent and the embalmer anticipates at least a six point injection
When the embalmer anticipates hypodermically injecting areas
Hot water will release fumes in the air and increase what?
HCHO exposure to the embalmer
Hot water embalming will do what to the blood?
Coagulate
Hot water embalming only work for ___________
Short Distances
Hot water embalming only work for ___________
Short Distances
That pressure which will overcome vascular resistance and cause a moderate uniform movement of the arterial fluid solution from the injector (machine) into the vascular system and ultimately into tissue cells
Ideal pressure
Maximum pressure is where?
At the point of injection
Point of injection means where
Arterial tube enters artery
A cloudiness resulting from the presence of suspended particles in water
Turbidity
Turbidity is objectionable in water used to dilute embalming fluids. Why?
Because the size of the particles may be such that in aggregation, they can block capillaries and restrict fluid distribution and tissue preservation
Turbidity is objectionable in water used to dilute embalming fluids. Why?
Because the size of the particles may be such that in aggregation, they can block capillaries and restrict fluid distribution and tissue preservation
It has been found that a solution that is slightly _______ to the blood
Hypotonic
The best embalming results in water with a pH of
7.4
The best embalming results in water with a pH of
7.4
The study of the toxic or harmful effects of chemicals in the body
Toxicology
This deals with the symptoms and treatment of poisoning as well as the identification of the poison
Toxicology
Any chemical absorbed into bodily tissues having harmful or fatal potential
Toxin - chemical
A poisonous substance produced by certain microorganisms
Toxin - biological
Extracellular toxin produced and released by bacterial cells as a normal physiological process
Exotoxin
Intracellular toxin produced and retained by bacterial cells and released only by destruction or death of the cells
Endotoxin
Any substance that is injurious to health or causes death, either taken internally or applied externally
Poison
An agent that counteracts the effects of an ingested poison, either by inactivating it or by opposing its action following absorption
Antidote
What are some examples of hazardous chemicals frequently used in the embalming
Methanol Formaldehyde Salts of heavy metals Ethyl ether Phenol Carbon tetrachloride Chloroform Chlorinated Hydrocarbons Acetone Benzene
What are some examples of benzene?
Dimethylbenzene
Paradichlorobenzene
Orthodochlorobenzene
Poisonings are caused by these heavy metals
Antimony Arsenic Bismuth Cadmium Copper Gold Lead Mercury Silver Thallium
Poisonings are caused by these heavy metals
Antimony Arsenic Bismuth Cadmium Copper Gold Lead Mercury`` Silver Thallium
L.D. 50
Lethal Dose
An abbreviation for the median dose of a toxin that will kill within a stated period of time 50% of the animals innoculated
L.D. 50
M.L.D.
Minimum Lethal Dose
The minimum amount of toxin which when injected into a test animal will kill it in a specific amount of time
M.L.D.
What are the factors influencing the action of poisons
Weight Age State of Health Physical state of the poison Tolerance Metabolic rate Method of administration Habituation
The process of forming a habit
Habituation
The method by which the nervous system gradually reduces response to a repeated stimulus
Habituation
What will show signs of poisonings in most cases?
The kidney and liver
These are the most important cleaning agents to the embalmer
Soaps
The major action of soap is to aid in
the mechanical destruction and removal of microbes
The major action of soap is to aid in
the mechanical destruction and removal of microbes
Soaps are usually made from what?
Fats and lye
Soaps depend on what for their cleaning action
Their content of alkali
Soaps combine with calcium and magnesium salt in hard water to form what?
An insoluble scum
If soap is to be followed by some germicide, it should be thoroughly washed off with ____ before the germicide is applied
70% alcohol
Soap and some germicides combine to form what?
Inert Compounds
A term to distinguish synthetic compounds from soaps
Detergents
Detergents are made from
Fats and oils
As a detergent is ionized in water, its electrically charged ions attach themselves to dirt and carry the dirt and microbes away with
the rinse of water
Detergents dissolve readily in
cold water
Detergents dissolve completely in
Even the hardest water
Soaps and detergents are usually germicidal for these
Pneumococci Streptococci Gonococci Meningicoccal Some influenza viruses
This virus is unaffected by soaps and detergents
Hepatitis
This is superior to ethyl alcohol
Isopropyl Alcohol
This is superior to ethyl alcohol
Isopropyl Alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol is effective against
Vegetative Bacilli (not spores)
Isopropyl alcohol is effective in dilutions of
70% and stronger
Isopropyl alcohol is not effective against this virus
Hepatitis
Isopropyl alcohol enhances the activity of other chemical agents such as
QUATs and Chlorhexidine
A gas which has excellent disinfective qualities against all bacteria, bacterial spores, and viruses
Formaldehyde
When dissolved in water, formaldehyde is called
Formalin
A bacterial aldehyde that is acidic in water
Gluteraldehyde
A bacterial aldehyde that is acidic in water
Gluteraldehyde
The action of gluteraldehyde is sped up if the solution is
Alkalinized
Gluteraldehyde is effective against this virus
Hepatitis
Exposure to Gluteraldehyde should be _________ for sterilization
10-12 hours
Exposure to Gluteraldehyde should be _________ for disinfection
30 minutes
What are the 5 examples of Gluteraldehyde
Cidex Di San Sporicidin Sonacide 3M brand Disinfecting and Sterlizing Solution
An alkaline solution of gluteraladehyde in 70% alcohol
Cidex
Cidex is an excellent
Bactericide
Viricide
Sporocide
Cidex is an excellent cold soak for
Instruments
Gluteraldehyde has been classified as
Carcinogen
What are the examples of Phenols?
Amphyl Staphene O-Syl Hexahlorophene Chlorhexidine
What are the examples of Phenols?
Amphyl Staphene O-Syl Hexahlorophene Chlorhexidine
What is an example of hexachlorophene?
Phisophex
What are the examples of chlorhexidine
Hibistat
Hiblicens
An antiseptic hand and body cleansing containing chlorhexidine gluconate used in surgery
Hibistat
An antiseptic hand cleaner containing chlorhexidine gluconate
Hiblicens
These represent a large group of compounds which act against many vegetative bacteria by attacking the cytoplasmic membrane
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
Quats are widely used for the disinfection of
Inanimate Objects
Quats are not effective against
Hydrophillic viruses
Quats are effective against
Lipophilic viruses
Examples of QUats are
Diaparine Chlroide
Zephiran Chloride
Ceepryn Chloride
Phemerol
Compounds in which iodine is carried by a surface-active solvent
Iodophors
Compounds in which iodine is carried by a surface-active solvent
Iodophors
The free iodine liberated from Iodophors is the
Bactericidal Agent
The surface active solvent in an iodophor enhances the action of the iodine, rendering it
Odorless and prevents staining
Iodophors are effective against __________ at concentrations over 5000 parts per million
Hepatitis B
Examples of Iodophors are
Betadine
Wescodyne
Hisine
Iosan
This is one of the most effective and widely used of all chemical disinfectants
Chlorine
A powerful oxidizing agent
Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach)
In a 1-10 dilution or at least 5000 parts per million, sodium hypochlorite is better than what?
Gluteraldehyde
Bleach should never come into contact with formaldehyde. Why?
It will generate Bischloromethyl ether (BCME) a carcinogen gas
Sodium Hypochlorite is lethal to
Hepatitis B
Ammonia + HCHO =
Neutralization
Ammonia + Bleach =
Chlorine Gas
These are natural disinfectants
Halogens VIII
Examples of Halogens
Fluorine Bromine Chlorine Iodine Astatine
In selecting a disinfectant for instruments and other preparation room paraphernalia, keep in mind the characteristics of a good disinfectant
Wide Range of Activity
Sufficient Strength
Acts in the presence of water
Be stable and have a reasonable long shelf life
Non-corrosive to metal instruments
Fast Acting
Not Highly toxic to living tissues or injurious to the respiratory system
In selecting a disinfectant for instruments and other preparation room paraphernalia, keep in mind the characteristics of a good disinfectant
Wide Range of Activity
Sufficient Strength
Acts in the presence of water
Be stable and have a reasonable long shelf life
Non-corrosive to metal instruments
Fast Acting
Not Highly toxic to living tissues or injurious to the respiratory system
Comprises the disinfection practices carried out after the embalming process to protect the environment and includes personal hygiene for the embalmer as well as disinfection of the instruments, equipment, and preparation room
Terminal disinfection
The purpose of these is the prevention of clotting within the blood vessels of a living person
Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants are often used following a
Non-fatal coronary occlusion with myocardial infarction
A fixed clot or obstruction is called a
Thrombosis
A free floating clot or detached thrombus is called
Emboli
Thrombo-embolic lesions occur most often in
Lungs (23%) Kidneys (14%) Spleen (9%) Brain (8%) Extremities (2%)
The embalming significance of the obstruction is the
blockages they cause in the vascular system
What are examples of Medicinal Anticoagulants?
Herapin
Dicumerol
Coumadin
How is herapin administered?
Intravenously
How is dicumerol administered?
Orally
How is Coumadin administered?
Orally
A dangerous drug leading to uncontrolled hemorrhage
Dicumerol
Used to treat rheumatic heart disease, auricular fibrillation, and those patients having suffered repeated coronary attacks
Dicumerol
An anticoagulant that depresses synthesis in the liver of several factors which are known to be active in the coagulation mechanisms in a variety of diseases
Coumadin
Anticoagulants are not a problem to the embalmer unless the body has been
Refrigerated for a long postmortem interval
Anticoagulants are not a problem to the embalmer unless the body has been
Refrigerated for a long postmortem interval
This is used primarily in those persons who display a pronounced tendency to hemorrhage
Vitamin K
The purpose of Vitamin K is to
restore a normal clotting time
This vitamin is synthesized by the action of colon bacili in the intestinal tract
Vitamin K
Vitamin K1 is derived from
Green plants such as alfalfa
Vitamin K2 is derived from
Decomposed Fishmeal
Agonal clots are _________________ by the arterial fluid solution
Unaffected
To remove agonal clots, what should you do?
Restricted Cervical Method
There are 7 areas of failure in embalming. What are they?
Too little time devoted to the preparation of the remains
The use of too little solution
The use of a too strong arterial fluid solution
Basing your evaluation of preservation entirely on tissue rigidity
Excessive injection speed and pressure
Excessive drainage: those that utilize the continuous method on every case they embalm
Failure to thoroughly preserve the viscera
Speed in embalming is more frequently an indication of ______________ than of skill and experience
Carelessness and lack of interest
An embalming solution may be prepared rapidly in two ways. How?
By injecting an inadequate volume of solution
By injecting the solution so rapidly that the distribution lacks uniformity
The most common of all embalming errorsis what?
Basing your evaluation of preservation entirely on tissue rigidity
The most common of all embalming errorsis what?
Basing your evaluation of preservation entirely on tissue rigidity
The result of excessive injection speed and pressure is?
Shell embalming
Any pressure which does not permit this must be regarded as excessive
An occasional closing of the drain tube
What does the intermittent method accomplish?
Will equalize vascular resistance
Close off short circuits by forcing fluid into resistance areas
Increase the uniformity
Minimize arterial fluid solution loss
Who successfully preserved remains by injecting his balsomic spirits into the cavities of the body without arterial injection
Gabriel Clauderus
What will be accomplished by a complete removal of all free blood and liquid content of the hollow organs?
Reduce preservation demand
Eliminate excessive dilution of the cavity fluid
Increase potential preservation of the viscera
