Tissue Damage (Q3) Flashcards
1
Q
Types of Tissue Damage
A
Stains on the skin
Intravascular Discolorations
Extravascular Discolorations
Trauma
Pathology (disease)
2
Q
Stain
A
- Surface stain and debris (tissue is soiled)
- Physically remove the stain, but be careful not to damage tissue further.
3
Q
How can you remove blood from the skin?
A
Hydrogen peroxide
4
Q
How can you remove nicotine from the skin?
A
Lemon juice
5
Q
How to remove other stains on the skin?
A
Try dry shampoo
6
Q
Intravascular Discolorations
A
- Staining of the tissue which lies within the vascular system
- Because the stain is still within the capillaries it is possible to flush this stain out
- proper arterial injection can “flush” out the discoloration
7
Q
Extravascular Discolorations
A
- Staining of the tissue which lie outside the vascular system.
- Because the staining has escaped the capillaries and moved into the surrounding tissue, it is not possible to “flush” it out.
- Hypodermic injection of phenol, external phenol compress; after bleaching, use cosmetic
8
Q
Types of trauma the embalmer may encounter
A
Abrasions
Gashes
Incision
Lacerations
Burns
Fractures
Gunshot wounds
Sharp force (stabbing)
Dismemberment
Decapitation
Hanging
9
Q
Abrasions
A
- Caused by friction
Ex: skinned knee, road rash - Problems: dehydration
- Solution: preserve with compress, or excise tissue first, then preserve with compress.
10
Q
Gashes
A
- Long deep tears in tissue
- Caused by blunt force trauma or pulling apart of tissue.
- Suture the opening partly closed so tissue does not firm up in open position.
- Preservative compress may be needed if arterial injection was not sufficient (this is applicable to all types of trauma)
11
Q
Incisions
A
- A purposeful, clean cut in the tissue. Usually from medical treatment.
- If there is suture or staples present, remove them.
- Treat inside of incision with preservative compress.
- Re-suture incision closed after raw tissue has be cauterized.
12
Q
Lacerations
A
- Incidental cut of the tissue.
Ex: cut from glass in auto accident - Treatment is same as incisions.
13
Q
Types Burns
A
- First degree burns: most superficial, epidermis only
- Second degree burns: burn has gone deeper in to the dermis (second layer of skin)
- Third degree burns -> “full-thickness burn”
- Fourth, fifth, sixth degree burns: tissue and underlying muscles and bone are charred.
14
Q
Burns
A
- excise any dehydrated tissue and clear the margins
of the opening. - Cauterize the open tissue.
- Apply a basket weave stitch if necessary.
- Fill with wound filler and cover with wax and cosmetics.
15
Q
Types of Fractures
A
- Simples fractures: skin has not been broken, but deformity may be present
- Compound fractures: skin has been broken, deformity will be present
- Comminuted Fracture: skin is not broken, but they’re multiple small broken bones inside (can be simple or compound)
16
Q
Fractures
A
- Attempt to realign the fracture bones so the position of any limbs looks natural.
- Splints, blocks and other devices may be employed to achieve the correct alignment.
- If the skin is broken, treat with phenol to cauterize tissue.
17
Q
Types of Gunshot Wounds
A
- Grazing: abrasion on surface
- Lacerating : tears surface open, but does not puncture (a cut)
- Penetrating: bullet enters and does not exit (entry wound only)
- Perforating: bullet enters and exits (entry and exit wounds)
18
Q
Difference between entry wound and exit wound
A
- Entry wound: wound where the bullet enters.
- Exit wound: where the bullet exits (there is not always an exit wound)
19
Q
Types of Stab Wounds
A
- Stab wounds: deeper and it is long (ex. knife)
- Chop wounds: can be long/wide with extensive damage underneath (ex.machete, cleaver)
- Impaling wounds: similar to stab wound but much deeper, may be an exit wound (ex. rebar, metal fence post)
20
Q
Dismemberment
A
- Separation of a limb from trunk of body
(if amputation was a past surgery and the person lived with the amputation, consult family about limb restoration and presentation) - Severed limb occurred at time of death, reattach limb.
- If the limb is missing (not found at accident site), re-create limb by filling clothes, gloves with stuffing, wood dowels, wires as needed.
- Use wiring in glove to mimic arch of fingers.
21
Q
Decapitation
A
- The head is severed from the trunk of body
- Use wooden dowels to create support.
- Suture head back onto neck.
cover with wax and cosmetics as needed.
22
Q
Hanging and physical asphyxiation
A
- Hanging causes dehydrated ligature marks high on the neck, near the jaw line.
- Other physical asphyxiation (not hanging) may cause the ligature marks to be in a lower location on the neck.
- If thin ligature was used, or enough pressure was applied, there may be lacerations on neck.
- Eyes may be swollen. Use pressure compresses and channeling, if necessary.
- Dress in a high-collared shirt, or employ a scarf.
23
Q
Acne
A
- If pimples are large, drain and reduce swelling.
- Lip wax may be needed to
fill open pore before cosmetizing. - If pimples are small, do not drain them. cosmetize over them.
- If scarring from chronic acne is present, consult family about
presentation options. - Be sure the skin is clean and dry before cosmetizing
24
Q
Decubitus Ulcers/Bed Sores/Pressure Ulcers
A
- Long-term pressure on a specific area of tissue causes lack of blood flow to area and causes tissue to become inflamed, and in severe cases, become infected and rupture.
- more likely to occur on the posterior of the body and not usually an RA concern.
- The ulcers need to be addressed during embalming because they may have an odor
25
Q
Psoriasis
A
- Plaque psoriasis: red bumps on epidermis at the arms, elbows and scalp
- Clean off dry flakes of skin.
- Pustular psoriasis - pustules are present, esp. soles of feet and palms of hands.
- Drain pustules and treat with topical embalming gel.
26
Q
Seborrheic Dermatitis
A
- Disorder of the sebaceous (oil producing) glands of the skin.
- Effects range from light dandruff to thick crust on skin, depending on severity.
- Soaking affected area with humectant (or ½ humectant, ½ surfactant) (moisture retention compress) to loosen skin flakes and wash away.
27
Q
Sebaceous Cysts
A
- Growth under the skin containing keratin and lipids.
- Excision of cysts may be necessary. Treat topically with autopsy gel.
- Consult with family before removing the cyst.
28
Q
Tumors/Cancers
A
- Broad category of “neoplasms,” or growths in and on the body.
- Benign tumors - growth that does not spread through the body
- Malignant tumor - cancerous growths that can spread throughout the body
- Consult the family about excising the growth.
- Treat with a topical autopsy gel. Wax and cosmetize
29
Q
Tips for All Tissue Damage
A
- Be sure the affected area is thoroughly embalmed
- Before restorative treatments (wax and cosmetics), be sure that the area is firm, clean, and dry
