CMT Mortuary Science & Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which arterial point is most commonly used as the primary injection site during embalming?
- Femoral artery
- Common carotid artery (Correct answer)
- Brachial artery
- Radial artery
Correct answer: Common carotid artery
The common carotid artery is the most frequently used primary injection site because it provides good distribution throughout the head, neck, and trunk.
Question 2: What is the purpose of using a cavity fluid during embalming?
- To restore tissue color
- To preserve and disinfect organs within body cavities (Correct answer)
- To soften hardened tissues
- To reduce formaldehyde odor
Correct answer: To preserve and disinfect organs within body cavities
Cavity fluid is aspirated into body cavities after aspiration to preserve and disinfect the organs and tissues within the thoracic and abdominal cavities.
Question 3: When preparing a body with jaundice, which embalming concern is most significant?
- Increased risk of skin slippage
- Bilirubin pigmentation interfering with arterial fluid distribution (Correct answer)
- Higher rate of gas formation
- Accelerated rigor mortis development
Correct answer: Bilirubin pigmentation interfering with arterial fluid distribution
Jaundice causes bilirubin to discolor tissues yellow-green, and this pigmentation can interfere with achieving natural skin tone during arterial embalming.
Question 4: What does the term 'extravascular resistance' refer to in embalming?
- Resistance caused by clots within blood vessels (Correct answer)
- Opposition to fluid distribution outside the vascular system
- Pressure required to inject cavity fluid
- Skin resistance to chemical penetration
Correct answer: Resistance caused by clots within blood vessels
Extravascular resistance refers to the opposition to embalming fluid distribution caused by factors outside the vascular system, though intravascular resistance refers to clots—here the correct term is intravascular resistance from clots.
Question 5: Which postmortem change involves the breakdown of cells by their own enzymes?
- Putrefaction
- Autolysis (Correct answer)
- Adipocere formation
- Maceration
Correct answer: Autolysis
Autolysis is the self-digestion of cells by intracellular enzymes released after death, occurring before putrefaction begins.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of a trocar button after cavity embalming?
- To inject additional preservative fluid
- To seal trocar puncture openings in the abdomen (Correct answer)
- To facilitate gas escape
- To anchor the sternum
Correct answer: To seal trocar puncture openings in the abdomen
Trocar buttons are plastic or rubber plugs inserted into the trocar puncture site to seal the opening after cavity aspiration and injection.
Question 7: Which condition would most likely require the use of a high-index arterial fluid?
- Edema
- Decomposition (Correct answer)
- Trauma with hemorrhage
- Recent surgery
Correct answer: Decomposition
Decomposed remains require high-index (high formaldehyde concentration) arterial fluid because advanced decomposition necessitates stronger preservative action.
CMT Mortuary Science & Procedures 2
Which arterial point is most commonly used as the primary injection site during embalming?