Funeral Service Test Risk Assessment & Management 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A funeral home identifies that a recently used embalming instrument is contaminated with Hepatitis B virus. The MOST effective decontamination method is:
- Soaking in 70% isopropyl alcohol for 10 minutes
- Autoclaving (steam sterilization) or using an EPA-registered disinfectant (Correct answer)
- Rinsing with hot water and dish soap
- Exposing to ultraviolet light for 30 minutes
Correct answer: Autoclaving (steam sterilization) or using an EPA-registered disinfectant
Autoclaving or using an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant are proven methods for destroying Hepatitis B on reusable instruments.
Question 2: In funeral service, 'ergonomic risk' is MOST commonly associated with which activity?
- Exposure to formaldehyde during embalming
- Lifting and transferring human remains (Correct answer)
- Using sharp instruments during arterial injection
- Operating cremation equipment at high temperatures
Correct answer: Lifting and transferring human remains
Lifting and repositioning human remains is a leading cause of musculoskeletal injuries in funeral service, making ergonomics a major risk category.
Question 3: Which document records the complete chain of custody for human remains from the place of death through disposition?
- Death certificate
- Embalming report
- Burial transit permit
- Body tracking log / identification form (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Body tracking log / identification form
A body tracking log or identification form documents every transfer of custody, ensuring the identity of remains is verifiable at each step.
Question 4: A funeral home is assessing fire hazards in its preparation room. Which substance commonly used in embalming poses a flammability risk?
- Formaldehyde solution (formalin)
- Cavity fluid concentrates containing alcohols (Correct answer)
- Arterial dyes and colorants
- Water used for embalming machine mixing
Correct answer: Cavity fluid concentrates containing alcohols
Many cavity fluids and co-injection fluids contain isopropyl or ethyl alcohol, which are flammable and require proper storage and handling.
Question 5: What is the significance of the OSHA 'action level' for formaldehyde (0.5 ppm TWA)?
- At this level, workers must immediately evacuate the preparation room
- At this level, employers must initiate air monitoring and medical surveillance (Correct answer)
- This level requires that PPE be discarded after each use
- This level triggers mandatory OSHA inspection of the facility
Correct answer: At this level, employers must initiate air monitoring and medical surveillance
When air monitoring shows formaldehyde at or above the 0.5 ppm action level, employers must begin medical surveillance and repeated monitoring.
Question 6: Which risk management strategy is employed when a funeral home installs grab bars, non-slip mats, and improved lighting in the preparation room?
- Risk avoidance
- Risk transfer
- Risk reduction (loss control) (Correct answer)
- Risk retention
Correct answer: Risk reduction (loss control)
Installing safety features reduces the likelihood or severity of accidents without eliminating the activity, which is risk reduction.
Question 7: A funeral home handles a body contaminated with methamphetamine residue from a clandestine lab scene. The PRIMARY additional risk this presents beyond standard biohazard concerns is:
- Heightened family grief requiring additional counseling resources
- Chemical toxicity and potential drug residue absorption through skin contact (Correct answer)
- Increased legal liability for drug trafficking involvement
- Higher cremation temperatures required to destroy drug compounds
Correct answer: Chemical toxicity and potential drug residue absorption through skin contact
Methamphetamine residue can be absorbed through skin or inhaled, posing chemical toxicity risks that require specialized PPE beyond standard biohazard precautions.
Funeral Service Test Risk Assessment & Management 4
A funeral home identifies that a recently used embalming instrument is contaminated with Hepatitis B virus.
The MOST effective decontamination method is: