Lesson 1: Embalming Introduction

Question 1

what is the embalmer’s primary obligation?

Answer 1

protection of public health

Question 2

textbook definition of embalming?

Answer 2

the process of chemically treating the dead human body to reduce the presence and growth of microorganisms, to retard organic decomposition and to restore an acceptable physical appearance

Question 3

procedures in place to keep the prep room in a state of disinfection and to protect public health:

Answer 3

limiting access to prep room, wearing PPE, practicing proper disinfecting procedures, ensuring there is a properly working ventilation system

Question 4

the three purposes of embalming:

Answer 4

Sanitation, preservation, restoration

Question 5

Sanitation

Answer 5

destructing or inhibiting pathogens in and on the body, ensuring it is safe for public viewing, internal and external treatment of the dead human body to reduce the growth of microorganisms

Question 6

Preservation

Answer 6

chemically treating the body to temporarily inhibit decomposition from time of death until final disposition, permitting the body to be viewed

Question 7

Restoration

Answer 7

care given to deceased to recreate natural form and color, the goal is not to make the person look alive, but to restore wounds and effects of disease or trauma

Question 8

Long-term definition of preservation

Answer 8

controlled decomposition of body without putrefaction or rotting. allows the body to eventually return to component elements through the clean and gradual process of oxidation, dissolution, and dehydration

Question 9

the four classifications of embalming

Answer 9

arterial, cavity, hypodermic, surface

Question 10

Arterial Embalming

Answer 10

to inject preservative fluid into the large arteries of the body and remove blood from veins

Question 11

Cavity Embalming

Answer 11

treatment of organs through the abdominal and thoracic cavities through aspiration and cavity fluid injection.

Question 12

Purpose of aspiration

Answer 12

remove liquid and semisolid contents of viscera, remove gas and liquids which relieves pressure against blood vessels and organs which permits increased blood drainage and embalming fluid distribution, removes blood and prevents discoloration and bacterial decomposition, allows organs to be perforated so that cavity fluid can enter these organs and structures

Question 13

Hypodermic Embalming

Answer 13

hypodermically injecting suitable chemicals into local areas of the body to achieve sanitation and preservation, areas are injected through a syringe and needle or trocar.

Question 14

Surface Embalming

Answer 14

application of suitable chemical to surface of body to achieve sanitation and preservation ,works through penetration and absorption, can be applied to internal or external body tissues to treat affected areas

Question 15

Primary methods of embalming

Answer 15

Arterial and Cavity Embalming

Question 16

Supplemental methods of embalming

Answer 16

Hypodermic and Surface Embalming

Question 17

Manner of Death

Answer 17

the way in which a person dies, can be natural, homicide, suicide, accident, or undetermined

Question 18

Cause of Death

Answer 18

the medical cause of death, the specific medical condition that caused the death, ex. pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction

Question 19

Decomposition

Answer 19

the separation of compounds into simpler substances by the action of microbial and/or autolytic enzymes, the body begins to breakdown

Question 20

How do tissues become preserved?

Answer 20

formaldehyde creates an environment inside the body that is unsuitable for bacteria to feed off of, it is also a germicide/kills bacteria, formaldehyde reacts with tissue proteins and causes the proteins to be converted into resin or gel-like substances which are resistant to decomposition

Question 21

What are the signs of decomposition?

Answer 21

Purge, Gas, Odour, Skin Slip, Color changes

Question 22

putrefaction

Answer 22

means the tissues are “rotting”

Question 23

Short term preservation

Answer 23

ensures the body does not decompose from time of death until final disposition

Question 24

what changes should you see with embalming?

Answer 24

tissue firming, color changes, dryness of skin, loss of skin elasticity, superficial vein distention, blood drainage increases as vascular pressure increases, clearing of blood discoloration, plumping of fingertips and lips (mottling of skin can be a sign of over embalming)

Question 25

what is the ideal body temperature for embalming?

Answer 25

4-7 degrees celsius

Question 26

What can help with fluid distribution while embalming?

Answer 26

massage along arteries to stimulate chemical into vessels, gravity, close drainage of vein to increase arterial pressure, increase PSI on embalming machine, last resort is to raise another vessel

Question 27

how much cavity fluid should be used for a “normal” case?

Answer 27

16-24oz per cavity, so 32-48oz is recommended.

Question 28

what is reverence for the dead?

Answer 28

the ethical approach of showing respect to the dead

Question 29

what should be remembered about reverence for the dead?

Answer 29

care of the dead is a privilege and responsibility, those who care for the dead are charged with the maintenance of moral and ethical duty, and every profession has a primary and supreme ethic in the discharge of its duties

Question 30

what is true of the readings and general thoughts about death?

Answer 30

humans generally use song, poetry and prayer to describe the journey of the dead from one place to another, rituals of death serve the basic need to remove dead bodies from among the living, the dead are treated as human treasures traveling somewhere where it is our holy responsibility to go with them to their place of farewell, and a healthy society will NOT treat the removal of a dead body as just a matter of mere disposal with little thought.

Question 31

what ethical and practical standards must embalmers follow?

Answer 31

maintain proper ID of deceased at all times, maintain education skills that meet standards of professional practice, maintain a clean and sanitary work environment, offer PPE to any individual having access to the prep room, and ensure that all human remains are covered when sheltered in the funeral home

Question 32

what should be considered about taking photographs of human remains (as the embalmer)?

Answer 32

permission should be granted to take such photos, photographs must be secured and kept confidential, photographs should only be taken as part of the work of an embalmer

Question 33

what are the main purposes of restoration?

Answer 33

to lessen effects of illness, trauma, and the large number of postmortem changes, to remove intravascular and extravascular discolorations, to recreate natural complexion color and facial contours

Question 34

when should cavity embalming be performed on an unautopsied body?

Answer 34

AFTER arterial injection. If done before or during it can damage the vascular system and cause major problems with arterial fluid distribution.

Question 35

which body component does the action of embalming chemicals work on to create a state of preservation?

Answer 35

proteins

Question 36

the success of preservation and sanitation relies on the reaction of chemicals with the proteins of which three components?

Answer 36

tissue cells, microbes, and enzymes

Question 37

What are the main purposes of an embalming authorization form?

Answer 37

allows permission to embalm, allows permission for embalming students to assist, allows for resotrative treatments, and protects the funeral home of the body has been misidentified. It does NOT typically disclose the embalming fee.

Question 38

what does anatomical embalming refer to?

Answer 38

the embalming of a body used for anatomical studies by medical students

Question 39

Can embalmed tissues retain water?

Answer 39

No, which means they tend to dry out. Use of a humectant can assist the tissues in retaining moisture and slowing down the dehydration in embalmed tissues.