Week 6 Embalming Fluids & Fluid Chemistry Flashcards
concentrated preservative chemicals used primarily for arterial embalming for the purpose of preservation and disinfection
arterial fluid
arterial fluids function primarily on ____ in the body
proteins
arterial fluid that contains active dyes intended to restore a more natural skin tone
cosmetic fluid
mixture of arterial fluid and water used for arterial injection with the possible inclusion of supplemental fluids
arterial solution
fluids designed to clear the vascular system of blood and enable the arterial solution to distribute more effectively; can include water conditioners, surfactants, anticoagulants, humectants
pre-injection fluid
primarily used to supplement and enhance the action of vascular (arterial) fluid
co-injection fluid
a chemical that inactivates saprophytic bacteria and attempts to arrest decomposition by converting body tissue to a form less susceptible to decomposition
preservative
an agent, usually chemical, applied to inanimate objects / surfaces to destroy most disease-causing microbial agents, excluding bacterial spores
disinfectant
liquid that serves as a solvent for embalming fluids
vehicle
agent that will impart permanent color to tissues
active dye
agent that will not impart permanent color to tissues; generally used to impart color to a chemical
inactive dye
chemical found in arterial fluid having the capability of displacing an unpleasant odor or altering an unpleasant odor so that it is converted to a more pleasant one
perfuming agents (masking agents)
chemical within the arterial fluid to deal with varying demands predicated upon the condition of the deceased, the environment, and the preservative to be used
modifying agent
HCHO
formaldehyde
formaldehyde is a colorless, odorless liquid (T/F)
false (colorless toxic gas with odor)
formaldehyde gas dissolved in water at 37% by weight and 40% by volume
formalin (methylene glycol)
formaldehyde is more stable than formalin (T/F)
false (formalin is more stable)
a polymer of formaldehyde commonly used in autopsy compound
paraformaldehyde
advantages of formaldehyde (6)
-inexpensive
-bactericidal
-rapidly destroys enzymes
-inhibits growth of yeasts and molds
-rapidly acts on body proteins
-small amount required for a large amount of tissue
disadvantages of formaldehyde (6)
-can coagulate blood
-converts tissue to a gray hue (formaldehyde gray)
-can “fix” discolorations
-dehydrating
-deteriorates with age
-narrow optimal pH (7.3 –7.5)
factors influencing formaldehyde shelf life (5)
-temperature
-time
-methanol (anti-polymerizing agent)
-pH
-light
strength of embalming fluids indicated by the number of grams of pure formaldehyde gas dissolved in 100 ml of solution; usually refers to a percentage
index
range of formaldehyde considered low index
0-18
range of formaldehyde considered medium index
19-27
range of formaldehyde considered high index
28-36
alternative to formaldehyde for preservation; colorless liquid at room temperature
glutaraldehyde (C5H8O2)
advantages of glutaraldehyde (6)
-liquid at room temperature
-less of an odor than HCHO
-less inhalation exposure
-wider pH range (7.3 –9.0)
-less dehydrating
-produces a softer tissue
surface disinfectants that are generally used for disinfection of skin, oral, and nasal cavities, as well as instruments
quaternary ammonium compounds (quats)
chemicals that increase the capability of tissues to retain moisture; include aloe, glycerol, sorbitol, glycol, lanolin
humectants
substances capable of maintaining a constant pH by neutralizing both acids and bases; include borax, sodium phosphates, citrates, sodium salt of EDTA
buffers
agent used to remove elements from the water supply
water conditioner
substance used as an anticoagulant in embalming solutions that binds metallic ions
chelate
chemical agent that isolates metal ions so they cannot adversely react with blood or water; includes sodium citrate, sodium salt of EDTA
sequestering agents
chemicals that reduce the molecular cohesion and surface tension of a liquid so that it can flow through smaller apertures; include sulfonates, sodium lauryl sulfate
surfactants (surface tension reducers, wetting agents, penetrating agents, surface active agents)
low formaldehyde arterial fluid with bleaching and coloring qualities for use on bodies with excessive concentrations of bilirubin in the skin and tissues
jaundice fluid
chemical used to lighten a skin discoloration
bleaching agent
technique using active dye in an attempt to cover internal discolorations such as jaundice
counterstaining
concentrated embalming chemical injected into the cavities of the body following the aspiration of the body; can also be used in hypodermic and surface embalming
cavity fluid
agent employed in the preparation of tissues for the purpose of maintaining the existing form of the structure
fixative
any chemical used in the preparation of human remains that is not injected into the arterial system or cavities
accessory chemical
chemical in powder form that has the ability to absorb moisture and/or preserve tissue; used in cavity treatment of autopsied cases
hardening compound
chemical that inactivates saprophytic bacteria and attempts to arrest decomposition by converting body tissue to a form less susceptible to decomposition; may have hardening, disinfecting, and/or moisture absorbing properties; often paraformaldehyde based
preservative powder
hardening compounds, preservative powder, surface applicants, internal/external sealing agents, cauterants, mold inhibitors
accessory chemicals
preservative chemical actions (5)
-inactivation of chemical groups of proteins or amino acids
-inhibition of further decomposition
-inactivation of enzymes
-killing of microorganisms
-destruction of odors and elimination of further odor production
a single carbon structure; in embalming, this is the product of the reaction of an aldehyde and protein referred to as a “cross-link”
methylene bridge
the methylene bridge is formed between two ____ atoms in two proteins and formaldehyde; water is a product
nitrogen
methylene bridge results (3)
-takes away a nutrient source for bacteria
-kills bacteria
-firms tissue at a microscopic level
formaldehyde is more effective at forming methylene bridges at multiple sites than glutaraldehyde (T/F)
true
metabolic by-products such as urea and uric acid which tend to neutralize formaldehyde
nitrogenous waste
the amount of preservative necessary to properly embalm human remains
preservative demand
the neutralization product of formaldehyde and ammonia
urotropin
