test 1 Flashcards
what is normal body moisture content
55-65%
how much more fluid is present for it to be considered edema
excess of 10%
edema is …
the abnormal collection of fluid in tissue spaces, serous cavities, or both
what are some edema predisposing factors
- congestive hart failure
- cirrhosis
- alcoholism
- nephritis
- lymphatic obstruction
- burns
- vascular diseases
cellular or solid edema
occurs when an abnormal amount of interstitial fluid passes into and is retained by the cell (intracellular)
- leaves the tissue swollen and firm
intercellular (pitting) edema
fluids accumulate between the cells of the body
- leaves a “pit” when pressure applied
- can be drained from tissue into circulatory system
anasarca is…
severe generalized edema
challenges with anasarca
- increased rate of decomp from heightened body moisture
- excessive moisture causes stronger secondary dilution of fluid
embalming with anasarca
- injection with high strength and volume to counteract secondary dilution
- might use RCI if face dehydrated
- hypodermic inject if places not receiving fluid
when head/facial features are distended from anasarca/edema …
- elevate head and shoulders
- using a hypertonic solution will draw excess fluid from tissues and into the circulatory system where it can then drain
- channeling with trocar
- massage facial tissues toward neck and chest
rate of flow for anasarca cases
begin at slow as distribution establishes
ascites is…
accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity
when would you tell if someone has ascites
- might go undetected till aspiration
- noticed if distended abdominal cavity
will edematous fluid from ascites affect arterial injection fluids
no, because fluid is in abdomen and won’t affect circulatory system, so won’t dilute fluid
- but will dilute cavity fluid during cavity work
complications with ascites
might put pressure in/around abdominal cavity and interfere with distribution and drainage
what is the peritoneum
sacs around the abdominal organs - so fluid can accumulate in between the two layers
techniques to relieve ascites
- scalpel to make small incision and insert drain tube
- make incision in hypogastric/inguinal area and let drain naturally
- use trocar and pierce transverse colon to release gasses and liquids
hydrothorax is…
abnormal accumulation of fluid in thoracic cavity (chest), the space between wall, cavity, and lung
to embalm with a hydrothorax case…
- use carotid artery and drain from jugular
- can use femoral
to address the built up fluid with hydrothorax…
- after embalming direct trocar to posterior portion of thorax and pierce it, allow fluid to drain with gravity
- during or prior embalming, insert trocar along lateral wall of cavity of abdomen, DONT RUPTURE ANY VESSELS
what can be expected with hydrothorax cases
- distension in the neck is common
- neck and face can exhibit intense livor morits after death
what is hydrocele
abnormal accumulation of fluids in a saclike structure, especially the scrotal sac
scrotum gets insufficient fluid distribution and will become a prime area for ___ to set in
decomp
when is hydrocele taken care of during embalming process
- during aspiration and injection of cavity
-insert trocar over pubic symphysis and pubic bone and enter both sides of scrotum - can use a towel and apply pressure to force fluid out
- use cavity fluid
other potential ways to take care of hydrocele
- tie off penis
- wicking = several small incisions where you insert strips of cotton to draw liquid out
what is hydrocephalus
abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluids in the ventricles of the brain
what are some causes of hydrocephalus
- bacterial meningitis
- lesions
- tumors
- stroke
- traumatic brain injury
- congenital in infants
it is necessary to drain some of this fluid (hydrocephalus) since it can cause ___ ___ in brain and accumulation of fluid in cranial cavity
rapid decomp
how to take care of hydrocephalus
- after embalming pass long hypodermic syringe through nostril and direct through anterior portion of the cribriform plate of ethmoid bone
- draw out fluid
- then use undiluted cavity fluid or phenol injected in same area
hydropericardium is …
abnormal accumulation of fluid within the pericardial sac (around the heart)
concern with hydropericardium
may cause pressure and restrict circulation
treatments for hydropericardium
during pre embalming use a trocar and drain it
- careful to not puncture vessels
for edema in the legs …
- use femoral artery
- treat with higher index fluid using hypovalve trocar
-can coat in autopsy gel (embalming gel) and wrap in plastic then use plastic garments
why is a higher index fluid or even cavity fluid necessary for edema type cases
- higher index = firming and dehydrating
- good to counteract the secondary dilution in these cases
what is the range of index’s considered firming
25-35
examples of edema fluids
- XEROS edema factor
- Eckels veloxin
- Edemaco
if there are any blister present on the body ….
- should be popped/lanced
- dry the area and use cavity pack to cauterize
- wrap in plastic and use plastic garments
should you pre inject with any edema cases
most likely no
what is an aneurysm
an out pouching of an artery that eventually ruptures
complications with embalming an aneurysm case
- rupture of vessels
- distribution of arterial fluid could be disrupted
- cerebral aneurysm can cause swelling in eyes
how to take care of embalming with aneurysm case
- multi point injection
- might have to aspirate ruptured blood from cavities
- pack nose and ears with cotton and sealer
- no need for special chemicals
what is cirrhosis
- end stage of chronic liver disease
- occurs when healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue, preventing the liver from functioning properly
what is cirrhosis caused by
- hepatitis B and C
- chronic alcohol and drug use
embalming complications with cirrhosis
- liver can be enlarged causing distension
- ascites may be present or edema in feet
- circulation to/from liver may be difficult
- jaundice
how to embalm a cirrhosis case
- if jaundiced use jaundice fluid
- wash skin with soapy water to remove some yellowing
- heavy cosmetics
fluids recommended for cirrhosis cases
- jaundice fluids since it can bleach and flush bilirubin
- glutaraldehyde is good alternative
- examples: premium jaundice, color guard, juan dial
what is CJD
- infectious, fatal disease of the central nervous system caused by a prion
- no test to identify if someone has it
complications with embalming a CJD case
- virus can be incubated for 10 years
- blood may be infectious
- is extremely resistant to heat and chemicals
- brain contains highest concentration of infectious agents
embalming options with a CJD case
- use pre injection
- alternate drainage/injection
- use high index arterial fluid
- if autopsied place organs in bleach
- if not autopsied DO NOT aspirate or do cavity work
what is diabetes mellitus
chronic disease that occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use insulin properly. results in abnormally high level of blood sugar or glucose in body
types of diabetes
- type 1 = genetic
- type 2 = acquired
- gestational = pregnant
some complications with diabetes cases
- difficulties with distribution from arteriosclerosis
- liver enlarged or soft
- lesions on pancreas
- jaundice
- gangrene
- water retention in fat
- fungal infection of lungs
- loss of limbs/toes
how to embalm a diabetes mellitus case
- multiple point injection
- use common carotid and jugular
- higher concentration arterial fluid
- two bottles for cavity work and re aspirate
when did the EPA recognize formaldehyde as a potential carcinogen
in 1987
when did the US department of human services add formaldehyde to the national toxicology program list of carcinogenic compounds
2010
what percentage of embalmers reported contracting infectious diseases from contact with blood
17%
what is the most commonly reported skin contact with infectious blood
needle stick at 73%
what is C. diff
cause lethal diarrhea from overuse of antibiotics, found in spores of feces
what is MRSA
- bacterial staph infection
- found on skin and in nose, blood, and urine
what is HIV
loss of immune system functions, spread through direct contact with contaminated body fluids
