CMT Mortuary Science & Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which law primarily governs the transportation of human remains across state lines?
- OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
- FTC Funeral Rule
- Interstate Commerce Clause regulations and state reciprocity laws (Correct answer)
- HIPAA Privacy Rule
Correct answer: Interstate Commerce Clause regulations and state reciprocity laws
Interstate transportation of human remains is governed by state laws and reciprocity agreements, often requiring a burial transit permit from the state of death.
Question 2: What is the recommended disinfectant category for surfaces contaminated with human remains fluids under OSHA standards?
- Low-level disinfectant
- Hospital-grade tuberculocidal disinfectant (Correct answer)
- Antiseptic solution only
- Simple soap and water
Correct answer: Hospital-grade tuberculocidal disinfectant
OSHA requires hospital-grade tuberculocidal disinfectants for surfaces contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials in mortuary settings.
Question 3: When embalming a body with severe edema, which technique adjustment is most appropriate?
- Increase injection pressure and use waterless embalming fluid
- Use co-injection fluid with a dehydrating agent and lower index fluid (Correct answer)
- Restrict all fluid injection to avoid worsening swelling
- Use only surface embalming chemicals
Correct answer: Use co-injection fluid with a dehydrating agent and lower index fluid
Edematous cases benefit from co-injection fluids containing dehydrating agents to help reduce tissue moisture while using appropriately diluted arterial solutions.
Question 4: What is 'sectional embalming' used for?
- Embalming only the upper half of the body for viewing
- Injecting each body region separately when normal distribution is not possible (Correct answer)
- Applying surface chemicals only to specific areas
- A rapid embalming technique for infectious cases
Correct answer: Injecting each body region separately when normal distribution is not possible
Sectional (multipoint) embalming involves injecting each body region through separate arterial points when a single injection cannot adequately distribute fluid throughout.
Question 5: Which muscle group is LAST to experience rigor mortis in the typical progression?
- Facial muscles
- Neck muscles
- Upper extremity muscles
- Lower extremity muscles (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Lower extremity muscles
Rigor mortis generally begins in the face and neck and progresses downward (cephalocaudal), so the lower extremities are typically the last to become rigid.
Question 6: What is the correct term for the liquid nitrogen or dry ice use in mortuary science?
- Chemical refrigeration
- Cryogenic preservation
- Temporary refrigeration for short-term preservation (Correct answer)
- Lyophilization
Correct answer: Temporary refrigeration for short-term preservation
Dry ice and liquid nitrogen provide temporary refrigeration used in mortuary practice to slow decomposition when embalming is delayed or not performed.
Question 7: During the embalming analysis, what does 'distribution' refer to?
- The placement of flowers at the funeral service
- The movement of arterial fluid throughout the body via the vascular system (Correct answer)
- The assignment of embalming cases to technicians
- The dilution of cavity chemicals
Correct answer: The movement of arterial fluid throughout the body via the vascular system
Distribution in embalming refers to the movement of preservative arterial fluid through the vascular system to reach all tissues of the body.
CMT Mortuary Science & Procedures 3
Which law primarily governs the transportation of human remains across state lines?