BMS Funeral Service Microbiology and Pathology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of hepatitis virus is transmitted primarily through fecal-oral contamination and poses a risk from deceased individuals with poor hygiene conditions?
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis A (Correct answer)
- Hepatitis D
Correct answer: Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is transmitted via the fecal-oral route and can be present in remains where sanitation was compromised.
Question 2: The process by which bacteria break down proteins in decomposing tissue into simpler nitrogenous compounds is called:
- Fermentation
- Putrefaction (Correct answer)
- Saponification
- Lipolysis
Correct answer: Putrefaction
Putrefaction is the anaerobic bacterial decomposition of proteins, producing malodorous nitrogenous compounds.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes a prion-related disease that embalmers must be aware of as an occupational biohazard?
- Tuberculosis
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (Correct answer)
- Anthrax
- Meningococcal disease
Correct answer: Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is caused by misfolded prion proteins resistant to standard disinfection, requiring special precautions during embalming.
Question 4: A funerary professional notes greenish discoloration beginning in the right iliac region of a body. This is most directly caused by:
- Hemolysis of red blood cells
- Clostridium bacteria producing hydrogen sulfide with hemoglobin (Correct answer)
- Bile leakage from the gallbladder
- Oxidation of copper in body tissues
Correct answer: Clostridium bacteria producing hydrogen sulfide with hemoglobin
The greenish discoloration (skin slip) in the right iliac region is caused by Clostridium bacteria reacting hydrogen sulfide with hemoglobin to form sulfhemoglobin.
Question 5: Which gram-positive, spore-forming anaerobe is responsible for gas gangrene and is a significant concern in traumatic deaths?
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Clostridium perfringens (Correct answer)
- Bacteroides fragilis
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Correct answer: Clostridium perfringens
Clostridium perfringens produces alpha-toxin and gas, causing gas gangrene in soft tissues and poses embalming challenges.
Question 6: In pathology, the term 'infarct' refers to:
- Tissue death due to bacterial infection
- An area of necrosis resulting from ischemia (Correct answer)
- Fluid accumulation in body cavities
- Abnormal cell proliferation
Correct answer: An area of necrosis resulting from ischemia
An infarct is an area of tissue necrosis caused by ischemia (insufficient blood supply), commonly seen in myocardial and pulmonary infarctions.
Question 7: Which disinfection level is required to destroy Mycobacterium tuberculosis on embalming instruments?
- Sanitization
- Low-level disinfection
- Intermediate-level disinfection (Correct answer)
- Sterilization only
Correct answer: Intermediate-level disinfection
Intermediate-level disinfection, using tuberculocidal agents, is required to kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis on instruments.
BMS Funeral Service Microbiology and Pathology 2
Which type of hepatitis virus is transmitted primarily through fecal-oral contamination and poses a risk from deceased individuals with poor hygiene conditions?