BMS Funeral Service Microbiology and Pathology 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of necrosis is characteristic of liquefactive destruction seen in brain infarcts?
- Coagulative necrosis
- Caseous necrosis
- Liquefactive necrosis (Correct answer)
- Fat necrosis
Correct answer: Liquefactive necrosis
Liquefactive necrosis occurs in the brain because its high lipid content and enzymatic activity result in complete dissolution of tissue rather than structural preservation.
Question 2: OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) requires funeral homes to offer which vaccine to employees at risk of occupational exposure?
- Influenza vaccine
- Hepatitis A vaccine
- Hepatitis B vaccine (Correct answer)
- Tetanus-diphtheria booster
Correct answer: Hepatitis B vaccine
OSHA mandates that employers offer Hepatitis B vaccination at no cost to employees who have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials.
Question 3: Which fungal organism, commonly found in soil and pigeon droppings, can produce meningitis in immunocompromised decedents and poses a respiratory risk during embalming?
- Candida albicans
- Aspergillus fumigatus
- Cryptococcus neoformans (Correct answer)
- Histoplasma capsulatum
Correct answer: Cryptococcus neoformans
Cryptococcus neoformans causes cryptococcal meningitis in immunocompromised individuals and its capsular antigens can be aerosolized during autopsy procedures.
Question 4: When embalming a body positive for HIV, the primary route of occupational transmission risk for the embalmer is:
- Respiratory droplet inhalation
- Percutaneous injury (needlestick or sharps cut) (Correct answer)
- Contact with intact skin
- Ingestion of embalming chemicals
Correct answer: Percutaneous injury (needlestick or sharps cut)
Percutaneous injury (needlestick or sharps wounds) is the primary documented route of occupational HIV transmission in healthcare and mortuary settings.
Question 5: Rigor mortis occurs due to which biochemical change in muscle tissue?
- Accumulation of uric acid crystals in muscle fibers
- Depletion of ATP causing actin-myosin cross-bridges to lock (Correct answer)
- Bacterial production of lactic acid in muscle
- Oxidation of myoglobin to metmyoglobin
Correct answer: Depletion of ATP causing actin-myosin cross-bridges to lock
Rigor mortis results from ATP depletion after death, preventing the actin-myosin cross-bridges from releasing, causing muscles to stiffen.
Question 6: In the context of universal precautions, all human blood and body fluids should be treated as if they contain:
- Only hepatitis B virus
- HIV, HBV, and HCV simultaneously (Correct answer)
- Only pathogens listed on the death certificate
- Only bacteria, not viruses
Correct answer: HIV, HBV, and HCV simultaneously
Universal precautions assume all blood and body fluids are potentially infectious for HIV, HBV, HCV, and other blood-borne pathogens regardless of known diagnosis.
Question 7: Which pathological condition involves the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, commonly encountered in decedents with liver cirrhosis?
- Edema
- Ascites (Correct answer)
- Hydrothorax
- Anasarca
Correct answer: Ascites
Ascites is the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal (abdominal) cavity, commonly caused by portal hypertension from liver cirrhosis.
BMS Funeral Service Microbiology and Pathology 5
Which type of necrosis is characteristic of liquefactive destruction seen in brain infarcts?