Lesson 2: Health Considerations & The Embalming Room

Question 1

Embalming Machine

Answer 1

electric machine used to inject arterial solutions into vascular system, contains centrifugal pump that pushes fluid out of the machine, fluid flows through rubber tubing that connects to an arterial tube where the solution is directed into the arteries

Question 2

Drainage Basin

Answer 2

Basin at end of embalming table for collection of drainage material, ex. blood

Question 3

Hydroaspirator

Answer 3

device used for aspiration, connects to plumbing and water pressure creates a vacuum, connects to nasal tube aspirator or trocar with rubbing tubing, directs drainage material into drainage basin

Question 4

Calvarium Clamps

Answer 4

clamps used to secure the calvarium (skull cap) after autopsy procedure, are about 1.5x1.5cm

Question 5

Nasal Tube Aspirator

Answer 5

instrument used to aspirate oral and nasal cavity, hub end attaches to rubber tubing and is connected to electric or hydro aspirator, tip can be inserted into nasal and oral cavities to aspirate/suction fluid contents, end is curved to reach back of throat via nasal or oral cavity, tip is blunt and rounded to prevent damage

Question 6

Aneurysm Needle (Hook)

Answer 6

blunt instrument used for locating and raising vessels, and for tissue dissection

Question 7

Needle Injector

Answer 7

pins and wires used for mouth closure, end of pin is inserted into end of needle injector and needle injector drives pins into maxilla and mandible (top and bottom jaw), wires are tied together to ensure mouth closure

Question 8

Spring Forceps

Answer 8

instrument used for grasping and holding tissues

Question 9

Gathering Forceps

Answer 9

instrument used for gathering and holding tissues

Question 10

Separator

Answer 10

instrument used for keeping vessels elevated above incision

Question 11

Angular Spring Forceps

Answer 11

Used to assist with blood drainage, end is inserted into vein, keeps vein expanded, can be manipulated to remove blood clots

Question 12

Hemostats

Answer 12

Used for clamping leaking vessels

Question 13

Groove Director

Answer 13

instrument used for expanding vein, therefore allowing drainage instrument insertion

Question 14

Drain Tube

Answer 14

inserted into vein, keeps vein open/expanded, internal rod can be manipulated to open or close drainage (allows for drainage or build-up of intravascular pressure), can be directed into rubber tubing where blood can be directed into drainage basin, hook end on rod allows for removal of blood clots

Question 15

Arterial Tubes

Answer 15

hub end connected to rubber tubing of embalming machine, tip is inserted into artery, used to inject arterial solution into arteries, come in different sizes for different vessels

Question 16

Arterial Hemostat

Answer 16

used to clamp arterial tube in an artery

Question 17

Trocar

Answer 17

long hollow needle used for aspiration and cavity fluid injection, connects to hydro aspirator or electric aspirator via rubber tubing, pointed end directed into cavities to aspirate gases, fluid, and semi-solids

Question 18

Cavity Fluid Injector

Answer 18

trocar attaches to cavity fluid bottle to allow gravity injection of cavity fluid, either has trocar with handle with stop cock that cavity fluid bottle screws onto and is flipped or trocar attaches to rubber tubing connected to bottle of cavity fluid

Question 19

Hypovalve and Trocar

Answer 19

instrument used for hypodermic embalming, smaller skinnier trocar with hub end attached to embalming machine via rubber tubing, pointed end inserts into tissues and valve is depressed to inject arterial solution

Question 20

Autopsy Aspirator

Answer 20

device used to aspirate cavities from an autopsied body, uses suction connected to hydro aspirator

Question 21

Centrifugal Pump Embalming Machine

Answer 21

interior of centrifugal pump embalming machine has pump and series of tubes that direct solution to correct pathways, arterial solution is directed out of tank towards the pump, any that enters the pump can be directed back into tank for recycling or a high pressure reading on control valve will cause fluid to be directed towards the hose. Pump always operates at same speed and output is always the same. Increasing rate of flow directs fluid through hose into body, low pressure reading will result in arterial fluid being directed back into tank (recycled),

Question 22

Actual Pressure

Answer 22

pressure reading on gauge when rate of flow valve is open and arterial solution is entering the body.

Question 23

Potential Pressure

Answer 23

pressure reading on gauge indicating pressure in the internal pathways of machine with rate of flow valve closed or arterial tubing clamped shut.

Question 24

Differential Pressure

Answer 24

difference between actual and potential pressure reading, the greater the differential pressure, the greater the rate of flow, when differential pressure is 0 so is rate of flow, which means no fluid is entering the body and the embalmer must adjust the gauges to increase differential pressure.

Question 25

How many air exchanges should an adequate ventilation system provide per hour based on a single table embalming room?

Answer 25

15-20 minimum is recommended

Question 26

Where should the air intake be on the ventilation system?

Answer 26

high at the head end of the embalming table

Question 27

where should the air exhaust be on the ventilation system?

Answer 27

low at the foot end of the embalming table

Question 28

what is the permissible short-term exposure limit (15 minute period) before a respirator must be worn?

Answer 28

2ppm

Question 29

what is the permissible time weighted average (8+ hours) before a respirator must be worn?

Answer 29

0.75ppm

Question 30

what are the 5 common work practice controls that assist in avoiding unnecessary exposure to infectious agents?

Answer 30

Hand washing, proper handling and disposal of waste and contaminated sharps, avoiding splashing, spraying, and splattering, consistent and proper use of PPE, housekeeping provisions

Question 31

What work practice controls reduce risk of exposure to formaldehyde?

Answer 31

keeping lid on embalming machine when it contains embalming solution, properly rinse embalming fluid bottles, recap fluid bottles, carefully handling and pouring chemicals, wearing proper PPE when handling chemicals, ensure continuous flow of water on embalming table, handle and pour chemicals in a way that prevents vapours from getting in the room, keep a cover on drainage basin

Question 32

what 3 compliance methods are included in the bloodborne pathogen rule?

Answer 32

engineering controls, universal precautions, and work practice controls

Question 33

what microbicide is the most effective in disinfecting the embalming instruments and table?

Answer 33

2% glutaraldehyde

Question 34

Minimum requirement of suitable protective attire in the prep room?

Answer 34

There should be no exposed skin

Question 35

universal precautions

Answer 35

treat all individuals as if they have a potentially fatal and extremely hazardous infectious disease such as HIV or Hep B

Question 36

what kind of exposure can happen when working with hazardous chemicals?

Answer 36

when dealing with formaldehyde, phenol, glutaraldehyde, and other chemicals the embalmer must be aware of the hazards associated as a result of exposure through ingestion, eye contact, skin contact, and inhalation

Question 37

what are common outcomes of acute and chronic skin contact with formaldehyde?

Answer 37

white discoloration, smarting, drying, cracking, and scaling, numbness, hardening and tanning of skin, allergic eczematous dermatitis, hives

Question 38

what are outcomes of acute and chronic inhalation of formaldehyde?

Answer 38

with progressively increasing concentrations: irritation to upper respiratory tract and eyes, throat eyes and nose irritation, teary eyes, difficulty breathing, burning of nose and throat, cough, heavy tearing of eyes, severe respiratory tract injury leading to pulmonary edema and pneumonitis, and death

Question 39

what are the 2 key factors that help protect an embalmer’s health in regards to formaldehyde exposure?

Answer 39

adequate ventilation and airflow

Question 40

what is the recommended amount of air exchanges per hour for a ventilation system in an embalming room?

Answer 40

15-20

Question 41

which term indicates the amount of resistance arterial solution will have in the body?

Answer 41

differential pressure