Technical Procedures I: Study Guide

If 6oz of 20 index arterial fluid was used to prepare a 1 gallon solution, what will be the strength of this solution?

.9375% strength

At what concentration does formaldehyde vapor in a room constitute potential health hazard to the embalmer?

0.5ppm over an 8 hour period, or below 2 ppm over a 15 minute period

If 8oz of a 20-index arterial fluid is used to prepare a 1 gallon solution, what will be the strength of this solution?

1.25% strength solution

How may ounces of a 25-index arterial fluid must be used to prepare a 1 gallon 2.0% strength arterial solution?

10.2 oz of arterial fluid

how many oz in 1 gallon?

128oz

How may ounces of a 25-index arterial fluid must be used to prepare a 1 gallon 3.0% solution?

15.36 oz of arterial fluid

the formaldehyde standard for short term exposure (STEL) is

2ppm/15 minutes

how many ounces of formaldehyde are contained in a 16 oz bottle of 25 index arterial fluid

4 oz

How much water must be added to make a 3.0% arterial solution if 6oz of a 20-index fluid is used?

40 oz of water

How much water must be added to make a 2.0% arterial solution if 6oz of a 20-index fluid is used?

60 oz of water

The average normal pH level for a living human being is

7.4

How may ounces of a 25-index arterial fluid must be used to prepare a 1 gallon 1.5% strength solution?

7.6 oz of arterial fluid

How much water must be added to make a 1.5% arterial solution if 6oz of a 20-index fluid is used?

80 oz of water

What are two primary areas of consideration for engineering controls?

Adequate ventilation and proper plumbing

Which embalming room instrument is used to direct arterial embalming fluid into the artery from the embalming machine?

Arterial Tube

Direct treatment of the contents of the body cavities and the lumina of hollow viscera with embalming chemicals, involving a two-step process of aspiration and injections, with a trocar, is the definition of which classification of embalming?

Cavity

During the agonal period, the term that refers to respiratory gurgling or rattling in the throat caused by build-up of mucus and the loss of the cough reflex, is known as:

Death rattle

Which civilization is credited with perform the first or original "embalming" procedures tracing back to approximately 3000 BCE?

Egyptian

When was arterial embalming - without evisceration - first used for preservation of the dead human body?

Gabriel Clauderus, in the late 17th century, first documented and published his method for arterial embalming without evisceration

Name five common work practice controls that would contribute to a hygienic environment in the embalming room

Hand washing Proper handling and disposal of contaminated waste and sharps Avoiding splashing, spraying, or splattering Use of PPE Adequate housekeeping

Biological occupational hazards in the workplace are addressed by OSHA in the ___________________?

Hazard Communication Rule

Injection of embalming chemicals directly into the tissue via a hypodermic needle or trocar, supplemental to vascular embalming when unsuccessful or impossible, is the definition of which classification of embalming?

Hypodermic

Bloodborne pathogen rule

OSHA regulation concerning exposure of employees to blood and other body fluids

Which of the following is not a primary reason for performing embalming?

Proper Identification

You receive and go on a first call for a gentleman that you receive at his home in his bead and had been under the care of a doctor for congestive heart failure. In making arrangements with his widow, she mentions that he had been working on the house and fell off a ladder 2 hours before he passed away, but them came in the house and seemed ok and just wanted to take a nap, when he passed away while in his sleep. As a licensed embalmer, knowing this information, you are legally required to report this information to:

The police, coroner or medical examiner

Clostridium perfringens is responsible for what troublesome condition in the preparation room?

Tissue gas

What does it mean to practice universal precautions?

Treating all human remains and bodily fluids as contaminated with bloodborne pathogens such as HIV, and hepatitis B

Historically, when was arterial embalming first employed - with evisceration - for preservation of the dead human body?

William Hunter, in the 18th century, employed arterial embalming with evisceration for preservation of the dead human body

High-index special purpose fluids

a group of chemicals with indexes greater than 30 used in the preparation of extreme cases, such as bodies with edema, those dead from renal failure, bodies dead for a long time, and bodies evidencing decomposition

Sterilization

a process that renders a substance free of all microorganisms

Osmosis

a process through which molecules of a solvent (i.e. salt) pass through a semipermeable membrane from an area of higher concentration (hypertonic) to an area of lower concentration (hypotonic)

Coinjection fluid

a supplemental fluid that is mixed and injected with the arterial solution; designed to enhance the effectiveness of the arterial solution

escape of blood serum from an intravascular to an extravascular location immediately before death is

agonal edema

this embalming method consists of injecting a few ounces of arterial chemical, stopping injection, draining for a few minutes, and repeating the process

alternate

Germicide

an agent, usually a chemical, applied either to inanimate objects or living tissue for the purpose of destroying disease-causing microbial agents, but not usually bacterial spores

Sanitizer

an agent, usually chemical, that possesses disinfecting properties when applied to precleaned objects/surfaces

severe generalized edema is known as

anasarca

those changes occurring in the interval prior to somatic death are

antemortem

this is a term used to refer to the after-death examination of the organs and tissues of a body to determine cause of death or pathological conditions

autopsy; post mortem examination

Biological hazard

biological agent or condition that constitutes a health hazard to humans

that consideration given to the dead body, prior to, during and after the embalming procedure is complete is the

case analysis

cause of death vs manner of death

cause of death indicates the medical cause of death and will mention any injuries or diseases that resulted in death manner of death is a set of categories including "natural", "accident", "homicide", "suicide", and "undetermined"

Cold chemical sterilant

chemical solution used for the immersion of embalming instruments as a means of disinfection and sterilization Concurrent disinfection/ decontamination: disinfection practices carried out during the embalming process

signs of death exhibited by the eyes of the deceased include

clouding of the cornea and flattening of eyeball loss of luster of the conjunctiva pupil dilation and non-response to light

Arterial fluid

concentrated embalming fluid that contains preservatives, germicides, vehicles, dyes, perfuming, and modifying agents

irreversible cessation of all vital functions is

death

Bactericidal

destructive to bacteria

Cavity embalming

direct treatment, other than vascular injection, of the contents of body cavities, and the lumina of hollow viscera

any abnormal color appearing on the human body is called

discoloration

Aerosolization

dispersal as an aerosol

the movement of embalming solutions from the point of injection throughout the arterial system and into the capillaries is called

distribution

A process of chemically treating the dead human body to reduce the presence and growth of microorganisms, to retard organic decomposition, and to restore an acceptable physical appearance is

embalming

Respirator standard

employees must be fitted to see if a respirator is appropriate and a personal respirator must be fitted to each individual employee regularly

Jaundice fluids

fluids compounded to cover or remove discoloration of jaundice

Tissue gas fluids

fluids designed to arrest and control the causative agent of tissue gases

discoloration resulting when formaldehyde reacts with hemoglobin in the tissues is called

formaldehyde grey

Asepsis

freedom from infection and from any form of life; sterility

chemicals that create an increased capability for embalmed tissues to retain their moisture are known as

humectants

content normally aspirated from the stomach

hydrochloric acid

another name for pleural effusion is

hydrothorax

which conditions would require special attention during thoracic cavity embalming

hydrothorax hydropericardium

five purposes for a preinjection fluid

improve distribution and drainage, clear blood discolorations, adjusts pH of the tissues which helps reduce graying, reduces coagulation, and reduces harsh effects of preservatives like formaldehyde

fluid dilution formula

index * volume of fluid = strength of solution * total volume

Bacteriostatic

inhibiting growth or multiplication of bacteria

Hypodermic embalming

injection of embalming chemicals directly into the tissues of the dead human body through the use of a syringe and needle

low index fluids used to inhibit bilirubin from turning to biliverdin are known as

jaundice fluids

an imaginary line drawn on the surface of the skin to represent the approximate location of some deeper underlying structure is the

linear guide

Employee right-to-know laws

make embalmers aware of the duties and responsibilities imposed on them by the laws and regulations of various jurisdictions in which they practice

MSDS

material safety data sheets

Engineering controls

mechanical systems and devices engineered into the architecture of a building; include adequate ventilation and proper plumbing

a needle injector is used for

mouth closure

Exposure control plan

must be accessible to all employees and are developed to control, minimize, or eliminate employee exposure to infectious agents

OSHA

occupational health and safety organization

injection and drainage from one location is called

one point injection

Airborne pathogen

pathogenic microorganisms that are airborne and can cause disease in humans

Bloodborne pathogen

pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans

PEL

permissible exposure limit

Universal precautions

practice in which embalmers treat all remains as if they are infected with HIV, HBV, or other dangerous pathogens

Work practice controls

practices used in conjunction with the formaldehyde standard to prevent exposure to harmful substances

Surface embalming

preservation of body tissues by direct contact with embalming chemicals

chemicals which inactivate saprophytic bacteria are called

preservative

tissue donation

procurement and transplantation of a collection of similar cells and the intercellular material that surrounds them, such as skin, eye tissue, ligaments, and bones

organ donation

procurement of and transplantation of a body part that fulfills a specific function within the body, such as the heart, liver, or kidneys

proteolysis refers to decomposition of

proteins

Actual pressure

reading on the pressure gauge on the centrifugal pump when the rate of-flow valve is open and arterial solution is entering the body

Squeegee effect

reduces the amount of microorganisms introduced in the tissues

Hazard communication rule

requires that employers communicate to employees the dangers that exist in the workplace as a result of hazardous substances or materials

a sharp cutting instrument used for making incisions is the

scalpel

STEL

short term exposure limit

What are some signs of decomposition?

signs of decomposition include color (caused by chemical breakdowns occurring within the body), odor (caused by foul-smelling amines, mercaptans, and hydrogen sulfide), skin slip (desquamation, caused by hydrolysis of collagen and elastin), gases (a byproduct of decomposition), and purge (caused by the buildup of pressure from gases formed in the abdomen).

Hypotonic solution

solutions containing less of a dissolved substance (i.e. salt) than is found in a particular fluid (i.e. blood)

Hypertonic solution

solutions containing more of a dissolved substance (i.e. salt) than is found in a particular fluid (i.e. blood)

Preinjection fluid

supplemental fluid that may be injected before the injection of the preservative arterial solution; purpose is to expand the vascular system, promote drainage, and prepare the tissues for reception of the arterial solution

Action level

that level in which certain actions must occur; in the formaldehyde standard, the level at which periodic monitoring for formaldehyde becomes necessary and at which medical surveillance becomes necessary

Potential pressure

the actual reading on the gauge in the centrifugal machine; indicates the pressure in the delivery line of the machine with the rate-of-flow valve closed or the arterial tubing clamped shut

Primary dilution

the addition of water to arterial fluid in order to create a solution

Terminal disinfection/decontamination

the cleaning and disinfection of the body, instruments, and the embalming room following embalming of the body

Potential pressure

the difference between the potential pressure reading and the actual pressure reading; indicates rate of flow

Secondary dilution

the dilution that occurs when arterial solution is introduced to tissue

hand pump vs. bulb syringe

the hand pump can create pressure to inject arterial solution, or can create a vacuum to aspirate, while the bulb syringe only injects No arterial solution or aspirated materials flow directly through the handpump, but arterial solution does flow through the bulb syringe.

Embalming

the process of chemically treating the dead human body to reduce the presence and growth of microorganisms, to retard organic decomposition, and to restore an acceptable physical appearance

Preservation

the science of treating the dead human body chemically so as to temporarily inhibit decomposition

Decontamination

the use of physical, chemical, or other means to remove, destroy or inactivate harmful microorganisms or chemicals from a surface

Arterial embalming

the use of the blood vascular system of the body to accomplish temporary preservation, sanitation, and restoration of the dead human body

when death has occurred due to pneumonia, an embalmer should expect

thoracic congestion and increased blood viscosity

eight criteria that help the embalmer determine type, strength, and volume of arterial solution

time between death and preparation, time between preparation and disposition, moisture content of the body, weight of the body, amount of fat vs muscle, progress of postmortem changes, nature of death, medical conditions (renal failure, liver failure, chemotherapy, etc.)

TWA

time weighted average