Test 3 Flashcards
Embalming is an _______, not a science
art form
The Six Sciences that Embalming is based off of
1) Biological Chemistry, 2) Anatomy, 3) Pathology, 4) Microbiology, 5) Restorative Art, 6) Embalming Technique
The illusions–hopefully pleasant ones– that the embalmer creates that banish traces of death and grief and present the deceased in an attitude of normal restful sleep.
memory picture
what does the embalming process accomplish?
1) retard tissue decomposition for a reasonable period of time, but not forever.
2) at best, keeps remains intact for many years, but eventually they will turn to dust
3) serve the living of our time, not create museum specimens
4) clean process of oxidation and dissolutions of the remains in to dust by eliminating the putrefactive or rotting stage
5) Embalming preservation is only temporary. For a mortician to tell a family that embalming guarantees preservation forever is a fraud.
Airtight/watertight outside enclosures will accomplish protection against moisture and air which carry ______ bacteria that cause decay
aerobic
Aerobic bacteria thrive in presence of
oxygen
airtight/watertight outside enclosures will NOT accomplish protection against _______ bacteria that may cause embalmed remains to go into putrefaction.
anaerobic
deliberate deception for unfair or unlawful gain
Fraud
The unembalmed body tissues are filled with ____________ which are very susceptible to decomp
Soluble Albumins
Properly embalming turns soluble albumins into ___________
Insoluble albuminoids
How is the temporary embalming process accomplished?
1) through saturation of body tissues w/ preservative fluids which act as a vector or carrier of gases that enter tissue cell proteins
2) It is the gas that is liberated from these fluids that causes chemical fixation of tissue cell proteins
3) process in which protein is altered so that it is no longer a suitable medium for bacterial growth
4) Degree or length of preservation will depend on two related factors : the degree of tissue saturation, and the degree of control of bacteria growth.
process of chemically treating the dead human body to reduce presence and growth of microorganisms to temporarily inhibit organic decomp and to restore an acceptable appearnance
Embalming
Four Classifications of Embalming
1) Cavity Embalming
2) Hypodermic Embalming
3) Surface Embalming
4) Vascular (Arterial) Embalming
Two kinds of embalming
1) Cavity Embalming
2) Vascular (Arterial) Embalming
Two kinds of Supplemental Embalming
1) Hypodermic Embalming
2) Surface Embalming
Direct treatment–other than vascular embalming–of the contents of the body cavities and the lumina of the hollow viscera; usually accomplished by aspiration and then injection of chemicals using a trocar
Cavity embalming
Use of vascular systems of the body for preservation, disinfection and restoration; usually accomplished by injection of embalming solutions into arteries and drainage from the veins.
Vascular (arterial) embalming
Injection of embalming chemicals directly into tissues through the use of a syringe and needle or a trocar
Hypodermic embalming
Kubler Ross’s five stages of dying
1) denial
2) anger
3) bargaining
4) depression
5) acceptance
to maintain highest moral standards
1) keep body covered as practical. Clean white sheet
2) take no liberties whatsoever
3) Guard against loose talk and remarks
4) repeat nothing outside of preparation room
5) disclosed no confidential facts as to conditions, age, deformities or diseases causing death
Disposition of human remains reflected 19th century laws based on sanitation and moral codes
1) that a dead human body not endanger the health and well-being of the general public
2) that such a dead human body not cause a public nuisance
3) that there will not be seepage, leakage or the escape of noxious odors and gas while transporting a dead human body
4) that such a dead human body be transported and disposed of in a morally dignified manner according to the wishes of the person holding the primary right of disposition
Why must the funeral practitioner respect the dead?
1) The deceased can no longer demand it themselves
2) for the sake of the profession; if anyone related to funeral service; mortician, crematory operator, cemetery employee etc. will reflect negatively on the entire profession
3) The golden rule; treat the deceased how you want your loved one treated
What is the purpose of embalming?
1) sanitation and disinfection; the destruction of most microbes and their ability to reproduce
2) temporary preservation; to allow the family time to gather, have an open casket visitation, and funeral
3) memory picture; most people agree that an embalmed body appears nicer than an unembalmed body
Who has the primary rate of disposition of the deceased in Maryland? In order..
1) spouse
2) adult children, Majority Rules
3) parents
4) adult siblings, majority rules
Postmortem changes of the eye
- clouding of the cornea
- loss of luster of the conjunctiva
- “cupping” of the eyeball
- pupil dilation
- no muscle response to light
Three types of disinfection
1) primary disinfection: carried out prior to embalming
2) concurrent disinfection: practices carried out during embalming process
3) terminal disinfection: institution of disinfection and decontamination measured after the preparation of remains
Stages of death
1) Agonal Period: period immediately before somatic death
2) Clinical Death: phase of somatic death lasting from 5-6 minutes during which life may be restored
3) Brain Death
4) Biological Death: death of the individual cells of the body
5) Somatic Death: death of the organism as a whole.
Types of tissue and how long they live after clinical death
1) brain and nervous system cells: 5-6 minutes
2) muscle cells: 3 hours
3) cornea: 6 hours
4) Blood cells: 6 hours
Early signs of death
1) cessation of circulation
2) cessation of respiration
3) pallor of the skin
4) complete muscular relaxation
5) contact flattening and or pallor of the tissues in direct contact with an object
Autolysis
Self digestion by its own enzymes (acid hydrolysis)
Bacterial putrefaction
The destruction of the body by anaerobic bacteria
Fermentation
Breakdown of carbohydrates
Oxidation
Decomposition of the body in oxygen
Hydrolysis
Decomposition of the body by water or liquids (carbonic acid)
Bacterial decay
Decomposition of the body by aerobic bacteria
Saccharolysis
Breakdown of bodily sugars
Hemolysis
Destruction of red blood cells that liberates hemoglobin
Proteolysis
Destruction of proteins
Lipolysis
Destruction of lipids
Chemically injecting disinfectant into the blood vascular system followed by direct treatment of the entire viscera contained in the body cavities
Legal definition of embalming
Primary right of disposition – (PRD) in order
- spouse or domestic partner
- adult children (majority)
- parents (both)
- siblings (majority)
Three primary objectives of contemporary embalming
1) sanitation and disinfection
2) temporary preservation
3) restoration
Identification makes sense professionally, practically illegally for the following reasons
1) certifies that this is the right person beyond any doubt
2) underscores the professional responsibilities we assume in providing disposition
3) stresses the irreversibility of the cremation process
4) facilitates the process of grieving
5) serves as a preventative mental health measure for the bereaved
Line of Eye closure
Inferior 1/3, superior 2/3
Refrigeration of the body must be at_______ degrees for a funeral home and_______ degrees for a cremation
44, 40
Procurement
Taking organs from the deceased
Bodies must be embalmed with in 48 hours of
The time of death
Maryland requires_______hours to designate the body as abandoned
72
Personal environmental hygiene
Sanitization
After death the body and its immediate environment are
Unsanitary
Purpose of sanitation and disinfection
1) protect the public
2) protect the operator
3) create a clean, sanitary body for transportation and funeralization
4) protect the environment
Proper disposition of clothing
1) launder and return to family
2) destroy after proper authorization
Minimum parking lot size for a funeral home should be
25 parking spaces per visitation room
Minimum size of visitation room
300 sq ft
Minimum size of embalming room
120 sq ft
The father of microbiology, discovered the existence of microorganisms
Anthony Van Leewenhoek
Observed the association between microorganisms disease and decomposition
Louis Pasteur
Nontoxic disinfectant suitable for use on animal tissue
Antiseptic
Freedom from infection and any form of life – sterility
Asepsis
An Agonal bacterial invasion of the body, usually by the putrefactive bacteria, usually confined to the colon, migrating into the blood vascular and skeleton system
Bacteremia
Destructive to bacteria
Bactericidal
Destruction of bacteria by action of certain chemical substances
Bacteriolysis
Agent that has the ability to inhibit or retard bacterial growth; no destruction of viability of the microorganism is implied
Bacteriostatic agent
Removal of infectious agents by scrubbing and washing, as with hot water, soap, or suitable detergent
Cleaning
An agent, usually chemical, apply to inanimate objects or services for the purpose of destroying disease causing microbial agents, but usually not bacterial spores
Disinfectant
The destruction and or inhibition of most pathogenic organisms and their products in or on the body
Disinfection
An agent, usually chemical, applied either to inanimate objects or surfaces, or living tissues for the purpose of destroying disease causing microbial agents, but usually not bacterial spores
Germicide
An agent, usually chemical, that possesses disinfecting properties when applied to a precleaned object or surface
Sanitizer
A process that renders a substance free of all microorganisms
Sterilization
Formulated by the action of pure phenol on pure cultures of bacillus typhosus or other similar bacteria. The relative germicidal value of other disinfectants is determined by comparing their germ killing power with that of phenol under identical conditions
Phenol coefficient
The phenol coefficient is
1.0
phenol
- cresol
- Lysol
- formalin
- chlorine gas
- chlorinated lime
- sodium hypochlorate
- ethyl alcohol
- bichloride or Mercury
- gluteraldehyde
- stabilized hydrogen peroxide
- iodophors
- iodine
- Quaternary Ammonum compounds
Disinfectants
The process in which a gaseous agent is used to destroy rodents and insects
Fumigation
Common fumigants
- Hydrogen cyanide
- sulfur dioxide
- HCHO gas (formaldehyde gas)
Common larvacides
- malathion
- diazinon
- chlordane
A chemical agent capable of destroying saprophytic or pathogenic fungi such as mold
Fungicide
A poor, almost useless fungicidal agent
Formaldehyde
A very good fungicidal agent
Phenol
Most common troublesome molds that the embalmer must face
- mucor
- aspergillis
- penicillium
Fungicides most commonly used by embalmers
- carbolated Vaseline
- paradichlorobenzene (phenol)
Substance able to destroy lice
Pediculicide
An agent destructive to adult forms of insect life; same chemicals as Larvicide
Pesticide or insecticide
The metabolic entity of growth, reproduction and locomotion
Life
Tripod of life
Heart, lungs, brain
Irreversible, total cessation of metabolic activity
Death
Anything ending in -ENE is a
Phenol
Anything ending in an -OL is
Alcohol
Anything ending in an -AL is
Formaldehyde
Death of certain groups of cells and their subsequent replacement by new cells in the normal course of bodily activities; physiological
Necrobiosis
The pathological death of certain cells or tissues of a still living body
Necrosis
Example of necrosis
gangrene
Antemortem cellular death
Gangrene
Gas gangrene=
Life
Tissue Gas aka post mortem emphysema=
Death
Gas gangrene is caused by
Clostridium perfringen (bacillus welshii)
The founder of clostridium perfringen
William Henry Welsh
Result of a blockage or a degenerative condition of the arteries aka ischemic necrosis
Dry gangrene
The result of a blockage or a degenerative condition of the veins
Wet gangrene
_____________ is used on bodies with dry gangrene
Embalming powder
____________ is used on bodies with wet gangrene
Hardening compound
Subcutaneous emphysema
Excess air under the skin; no bacteria involved
The antemortem development of a bed sore into necrotic tissue which may become fatal
Decubitus ulcer
The period just prior to death, also called the dying period or the Agonal period
Moribund
A noise made by a moribund person which is caused by air passing through a residue of mucus in the trachea and the posterior oral cavity.
Death rattle
Semi-convulsive twitches which often occur before death; it is caused by the death of the nervous system.
Death struggle
Aka cadaveric spasm, the last act in life is preserved in death (anything involving sudden or over production of sarcolactic acid)
Instantaneous rigor mortis
The condition in which the manifestations of life are feebily maintained
Apparent death
Temporary condition of apparent death with cessation of respiration
Suspended animation
Condition in which there is a waxy rigidity of the body and the vital phenomena of life are feebily maintained. Body does not respond to stimuli
Catalepsy
The body of a deceased human being including the cremated remains
Human remains
Dead human body preserved and especially used for dissection (medical)
Cadaver
Slang term for “cremated remains”, those elements remaining following the cremation of the body.
Cremains
The study of death
Thanatology
Death of the whole organism. Specifically death of the heart, brain and lungs.
Somatic death
You will find:
- Heart contracted and empty vascular breakdown with probable ruptured aneurysm,
- no blood discolorations on the surface indicating massive internal hemorrhage .
Syncope by anemia
You will find:
- blood stopped in its course and found to be plentiful in. Oth arteries and veins
- numerous Agonal clots
- vascular system still intact
Syncope by asthenia
You will find:
- blood in arteries of the brain, spinal cord, and meninges
- distention and discoloration of eyelids
- possible gas in the cranium due to putrefaction
- rapid migration of organisms causing early decomposition
Coma
To embalm a coma case, you use
The restricted cervical method
Bulging eyeballs mean
Cranial decomposition
Head freeze aka
Instant tissue fixation
In these two cases you must NEVER aspirate the brain
1) meningitis
2) Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease
You will find:
- main arteries and veins empty
- cyanosis of body surface
- blood discoloration (dark purple except for drowning and carbon monoxide poison cases)
Asphyxia
Regardless of the basic cause of somatic death, the final cause of death is always
Oxygen starvation
Cellular death is also known as
Molecular death
Postmortem cellular death will alway follow
Somatic death
Later signs of death occurring during the first several hours
- algor mortis-post mortem cooling
- rigor mortis- post mortem stiffening
- livor mortis (post mortem lividity, cadaveric lividity)
- general decomposition- the only positive sign of death
Those manifestations of death by which we may recognize its presence in the body
Signs of death
Signs of death
1) cessation of respiration
2) cessation of circulation
The movement of blood from the heart and arteries into the capillaries and veins which occurs at the moment of death
Articulo mortis
The first stage of rigor mortis, happens immediately after death
Primary flaccidity
“Expression of, look of death” – these are facial changes that are associated with death, such as the expression of slackness in the eyes, the mouth opens and the jaw drops back. The lips are dry and shrunken and the facial lines are accentuated
Facies-hypocratica
Post mortem cooling of the body to the surrounding environmental temperature
Algor mortis
Aka cadaveric rigidity, postmortem temporary stiffening of the voluntary and involuntary muscles as a result of chemical changes in the dead body
Rigor mortis
The postmortem gravitation of the blood into all the dependent areas of the body
Livor Mortis
Aka laking, postmortem condition in which congested blood undergoes a change in which the hemoglobin separates from the red blood cells and passes through the capillary walls into the tissues
Postmortem stain (hemolysis)
How does the embalmer tell the difference between postmortem stain in the Livor mortis?
By pressing your finger on the discolored area. If the area lightens in intensity it is livor mortis. If there is no change it is postmortem stain
Livor mortis Will always occur before
Postmortem stain
Agonal state
The period immediately preceding death.
Bodily changes that occur in three overlapping stages
1) antemortem
2) Agonal
3) postmortem
The agonal state has been determined to have six changes
1) thermal change
2) blood change
3) moisture change
4) bacterial translocation
5) gas in tissue
6) therapeutic agents
Agonal algor
Marked by a decrease in recorded body temperature; noted in senile patients
The cause of body temperature to drop is
- A progressive reduction in the rate of metabolism
- A general slowing of the blood circulation
Agonal fever
Marked by an increase of recorded body temperature
The cause of the temperature rise is
- highly infectious diseases
- poisons and toxemia
- Progressive increase in the rate of bacterial and/or chemical action in the tissues
Agonal hypostasis
Settling of blood to the Dependant parts of the body just prior to death
The settling out of blood cells, particularly the white corpuscles. The result is the formation of long, tough, laminated clots
Agonal coagulation
Out pouring of lymph into the peritoneal cavity
Agonal exudation
The escape of blood serum from an intravascular to an extravascular location, caused by prolonged venous and capillary congestion
Agonal edema
Bacterial infiltration and growth from the intestinal tract to the vascular and skeletal systems causing capillary permeability changes. It has been proven that the anaerobic spore forming bacilli have reached the chambers of the heart from the colon with in an hour of death
Bacterial translocation (Agonal bacteremia)
The crackling sensation produced when gases trapped in tissue are palpated. Common to both subcutaneous emphysema and gas gangrene.
Crepitation
Any of a variety of substances both natural and synthetic that inhibit growth of or destroy microorganisms
Antibiotics
A nerve or drug which dilates the blood vessels actually causing complete relaxation of the blood vessels
Vasodilator
