Funeral Service Test Funeral Service Mortuary Science and Pathology 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which chemical is the primary active preservative agent in most arterial embalming fluids?
- Methanol
- Formaldehyde (Correct answer)
- Glutaraldehyde
- Phenol
Correct answer: Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is the principal preservative in arterial embalming fluids, cross-linking proteins to retard decomposition and disinfect tissue.
Question 2: The term 'manner of death' refers to:
- The physiological cause that ended life
- The circumstances under which death occurred (natural, accident, homicide, suicide, undetermined) (Correct answer)
- The time elapsed since death
- The method used to identify the deceased
Correct answer: The circumstances under which death occurred (natural, accident, homicide, suicide, undetermined)
Manner of death classifies how a death came about into categories such as natural, accidental, homicide, suicide, or undetermined.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes 'saponification' as a postmortem change?
- Mummification caused by dry heat
- Conversion of body fat into a soap-like substance called adipocere (Correct answer)
- Rapid bacterial liquefaction of soft tissue
- Crystallization of interstitial fluids
Correct answer: Conversion of body fat into a soap-like substance called adipocere
Saponification is the hydrolysis of body fats into adipocere, a grayish waxy substance that forms in moist, anaerobic conditions.
Question 4: In embalming, 'index' most commonly refers to the:
- Dilution ratio of cavity fluid to water
- Formaldehyde concentration expressed as a percentage of the total fluid (Correct answer)
- Volume of fluid injected per kilogram of body weight
- Rate of injection in ounces per minute
Correct answer: Formaldehyde concentration expressed as a percentage of the total fluid
The index of an embalming fluid indicates the percentage of formaldehyde (or equivalent preservative) it contains, used to calculate the proper dilution.
Question 5: A decedent who died of carbon monoxide poisoning would most likely present with what unusual skin color?
- Pale white
- Yellow-green
- Cherry red (Correct answer)
- Deep purple
Correct answer: Cherry red
Carbon monoxide binds hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin, producing the characteristic cherry-red or bright pink skin color.
Question 6: The right common carotid artery is a preferred injection site primarily because:
- It provides the most direct route to the lower extremities
- It is easily accessible and supplies blood to the head and face (Correct answer)
- It carries the highest volume of blood in the body
- It is always free of arteriosclerosis
Correct answer: It is easily accessible and supplies blood to the head and face
The right common carotid artery is favored for head and face distribution and is easily located in the neck for arterial injection.
Question 7: What is the role of a 'co-injection fluid' used alongside arterial embalming solution?
- To replace drainage from the jugular vein
- To enhance distribution, condition tissue, and counteract adverse effects of the primary fluid (Correct answer)
- To sterilize the injection machine tubing
- To neutralize putrefactive gases already present
Correct answer: To enhance distribution, condition tissue, and counteract adverse effects of the primary fluid
Co-injection fluids are supplemental solutions added to the arterial fluid to improve penetration, soften tissue, and buffer the effects of high-index preservatives.
Funeral Service Test Funeral Service Mortuary Science and Pathology 3
Which chemical is the primary active preservative agent in most arterial embalming fluids?