FREE BMS Funeral Service Microbiology and Pathology Questions and Answers Flashcards

Which microorganism is classified as a prion and causes Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, presenting unique challenges in funeral service?

Answer: PrPSc (misfolded prion protein)

Prions are misfolded proteins (PrPSc) that cause CJD and are extremely resistant to standard disinfection and embalming chemicals.

What is the correct order of the stages of infection?

Answer: Incubation, prodromal, illness, convalescence

The four sequential stages of infection are incubation, prodromal, illness, and convalescence.

Which type of postmortem change is characterized by the conversion of body fat into a waxy substance called adipocere?

Answer: Saponification

Saponification occurs when body fats undergo hydrolysis in moist environments, forming the waxy, soap-like substance known as adipocere.

Formaldehyde achieves its preservative effect primarily by which chemical mechanism?

Answer: Cross-linking proteins

Formaldehyde preserves tissue by cross-linking amino groups in proteins, creating methylene bridges that fix cellular structures.

Which route of exposure is the PRIMARY concern for funeral service practitioners when handling bodies with active MRSA infections?

Answer: Direct contact through broken skin

MRSA is primarily transmitted through direct contact, and any cuts or abrasions on a practitioner's skin create an entry point for infection.

What does the term 'opportunistic pathogen' mean in the context of mortuary microbiology?

Answer: A microorganism that causes disease only when the host's defenses are compromised

Opportunistic pathogens exploit weakened or absent immune defenses, which is why they proliferate extensively in deceased remains.