test 3 Flashcards
what is septicemia
infection of the bloodstream
possible embalming complications with septicemia
- blood is infectious
- organs may have pus abscesses
- rapid decomp
- dehydration
- purge
- skin slip
- discoloration
embalming options with septicemia
- embalm asap
- higher than normal arterial
- co injection with water corrective recommended
- thorough cavity aspiration (re aspirate)
- skin discolorations treated by hypodermic injection
what is a stroke
hemorrhage in the brain
possible embalming complications with a stroke
- circulation to brain difficult
- may need to aspirate cranium b/c drainage that leaked into cavity
- face discolored/swollen
- arteries in the brain may constrict (usually on opposite side of body that has paralysis)
embalming options with stroke
- use carotid artery and jugular vein
- pre injection fluid maybe
- co injection strongly recommended
- normal concentration of arterial
- aspirate cranium and inject with cavity fluid, then pack nose with cotton and sealer
what could swelling before death be from
- edema (fluid)
- decomp (gas gangrene)
- oxygen intake (air/respirators)
what could cause swelling post death
- decomp (gas)
- embalming (fluid)
possible embalming complications with swelling
- unnatural looking appearance
- pressure on vessels may disrupt distribution
- skin slip
embalming options with swelling
- edema fluid
- channeling
- swollen area can be massaged towards entry point to force air/fluid out
- stronger than normal concentration arterial
- slow rate of flow
- use pulsation
- cotton reducer in channeled areas
- air or water collars around neck
- body elevated after embalming
what is tuberculosis
contagious bacterial infection of the lungs and other organs
possible embalming complications with tuberculosis
- highly infectious from lungs
- causes cavities to form in lungs that rupture causing distribution problems
- purge
- emaciated/dehydrated
- coagulated blood
- weakness of pulmonary arteries
- edema in lower legs
- long lifespan outside body
embalming options with tuberculosis
- carotid artery and jugular vein
- intermittent drainage most effective
- six point if purge from mouth
- index of fluid around 2-3%
- pre injection to increase permeability of cell walls
- thorough aspiration
- all instruments thoroughly disinfected
possible complications with embalming an infant
vessels for injection are small in size, making insertion of arterial tubes difficult
fluid pack method for infants
- old way
- fewer viewings with this way
- infant wrapped in several layers of cotton saturated with concentrated arterial/cavity fluid
- then placed in closed container and covered with embalming powder
- “embalming by osmosis”
results for fluid pack approach with infants
- not desirable because of infants fragile tissues
- excessive dehydration
- intense wrinkling of skin
- little/no change to discolorations
- fluid penetration is minimal
- risk of decomp
soak/submerging method for embalming infants
- use plastic tub with lid
- fill with enough water to cover infant
- add double strength arterial fluid
- possibly use active dye
- wrap infant in cotton and submerge it
- maybe turn it every few hours
- allow soak for 8 hours
- after place on towel to expose to air
- allow several hours to dry
heart approach for embalming infant
- effective way that utilizes a thoracic incision
- use if infant has not undergone a post mortem examination
heart approach procedure for embalming infant
- make Y incision below clavicles and meet at level of 4th rib then down to lower border of sternum
- cut ribs and lift up chest plate towards face
- take heart and open pericardial sac
- insert medium sized curved arterial tube through wall of left ventricle of heart in direction of aorta
- drainage from the right atrium by making small incision and holding open with forceps
- inject 1quart to 3 pints of mild arterial
- injection pressure not over 1-1.5 lbs
- after return heart and sternum before closing incision
- aspirate with infant trocar and inject 8-12 ounces of fluid after
other arteries to consider with infants
- carotid if large enough and accessible
- femoral if large enough, age will affect this
- abdominal aorta (with inferior vena cava)
cavity treatment for infants
- for full term infants
- same entry point as adult
- 2-4 ounces of fluid up and down
