BMS Embalming 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which arterial chemical is primarily responsible for preserving proteins in embalmed tissue?
- Formaldehyde (Correct answer)
- Glycerin
- Lanolin
- Sodium citrate
Correct answer: Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde cross-links proteins, halting decomposition and firming tissue.
Question 2: The 'demand' method of injection refers to:
- Injecting fluid only as fast as the body accepts it (Correct answer)
- Using maximum machine pressure at all times
- Restricting drainage to build pressure
- Alternating injection sites every five minutes
Correct answer: Injecting fluid only as fast as the body accepts it
Demand injection matches fluid delivery to the body's absorption rate, preventing tissue distension.
Question 3: Decomposition gases trapped in tissue during embalming are best addressed by:
- Channel incisions and hypodermic treatment (Correct answer)
- Increasing arterial pressure
- Using a higher index fluid
- Adding more humectant to the solution
Correct answer: Channel incisions and hypodermic treatment
Channeling releases trapped gases and allows cavity fluid or hypodermic chemicals to penetrate the affected area.
Question 4: Which condition causes the skin to slip easily from underlying tissue and complicates embalming?
- Skin slip (Correct answer)
- Livor mortis
- Algor mortis
- Adipocere
Correct answer: Skin slip
Skin slip results from decomposition separating the epidermis from the dermis, making arterial distribution difficult.
Question 5: What is the purpose of adding a water conditioner to the embalming solution?
- To soften hard water and improve fluid distribution (Correct answer)
- To increase formaldehyde index
- To accelerate firming of tissues
- To darken blood stains
Correct answer: To soften hard water and improve fluid distribution
Water conditioners chelate minerals in hard water that would otherwise react with embalming chemicals and impede distribution.
Question 6: In multi-point injection, the embalmer uses:
- Multiple injection sites to ensure complete distribution (Correct answer)
- A single artery with the machine set to maximum
- Only the right common carotid artery
- Injection directly into organ cavities
Correct answer: Multiple injection sites to ensure complete distribution
Multi-point injection raises arteries in several body regions to overcome restricted distribution.
Question 7: The primary purpose of a trocar button after cavity embalming is to:
- Seal the trocar puncture wound in the abdomen (Correct answer)
- Drain additional blood from the right atrium
- Inject supplemental arterial fluid
- Secure the mouth closure
Correct answer: Seal the trocar puncture wound in the abdomen
Trocar buttons are screw-in plugs that close the abdominal puncture site to prevent leakage.
Which arterial chemical is primarily responsible for preserving proteins in embalmed tissue?