CMT CMT Restorative Art & Cosmetics 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which suture technique is most commonly used to close an autopsy incision on the thorax and abdomen?
- Baseball (interrupted) suture (Correct answer)
- Purse-string suture
- Figure-eight suture
- Continuous lock stitch
Correct answer: Baseball (interrupted) suture
The baseball (interrupted) suture is the standard technique for closing autopsy incisions because it provides secure closure and is neat in appearance.
Question 2: What material is used as a filler to restore body contour lost due to tissue removal during autopsy?
- Excelsior (wood shavings) or cotton wadding inside a plastic bag (Correct answer)
- Plaster casts
- Styrofoam blocks
- Sand bags
Correct answer: Excelsior (wood shavings) or cotton wadding inside a plastic bag
Excelsior (wood shavings) or cotton wadding packed inside a plastic bag is used to replace volume and restore normal body contour after organ removal.
Question 3: What is the function of a trocar button in post-embalming restorative procedures?
- To seal trocar incision puncture sites after aspiration (Correct answer)
- To inject embalming fluid into arteries
- To hold the eyelids closed
- To provide arterial pressure measurement
Correct answer: To seal trocar incision puncture sites after aspiration
Trocar buttons are small plastic plugs inserted into trocar puncture holes after cavity embalming to prevent seepage and seal the incision sites.
Question 4: Which type of skin discoloration is associated with bruising and requires color correction before cosmetic application?
- Ecchymosis (Correct answer)
- Cyanosis
- Jaundice
- Mottling
Correct answer: Ecchymosis
Ecchymosis (bruising) produces purple, blue, or greenish discolorations on the skin that require dedicated color-correcting cosmetics before final cosmetic application.
Question 5: When applying cosmetics to a jaundiced decedent, which base tone correction is needed?
- Mauve or lavender-toned corrector to neutralize yellow-orange tones (Correct answer)
- Green corrector to neutralize yellow
- White corrector to brighten the skin
- No correction needed — just apply normal foundation
Correct answer: Mauve or lavender-toned corrector to neutralize yellow-orange tones
Mauve or lavender correctors neutralize the intense yellow-orange hue of jaundiced skin before applying a matched foundation for a natural appearance.
Question 6: What does the term 'dehydration' refer to in the context of mortuary restorative art?
- Excessive drying and shriveling of tissue caused by embalming or environmental factors (Correct answer)
- Loss of blood volume during embalming
- Removal of organ fluids during autopsy
- Evaporation of cavity fluid after burial
Correct answer: Excessive drying and shriveling of tissue caused by embalming or environmental factors
Dehydration in mortuary science refers to excessive drying of skin and tissues that causes shriveling or sunken areas, which must be addressed with humectants or wax before cosmetizing.
CMT CMT Restorative Art & Cosmetics 3
Which suture technique is most commonly used to close an autopsy incision on the thorax and abdomen?