Free BMS Embalming Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers

Question 1: When pneumonia has been the cause of death, an embalmer should anticipate:

severe rigor mortis
rapid cooling of the body
serious body discoloration
thoracic congestion and increased blood viscosity (Correct answer)

Correct answer: thoracic congestion and increased blood viscosity

Pneumonia is an infection that primarily affects the lungs, leading to inflammation and fluid accumulation in the thoracic cavity. This condition results in significant congestion within the chest and can cause the blood to become thicker (increased viscosity) due to dehydration and the body's response to infection. Embalmers must anticipate these challenges to ensure effective fluid distribution and drainage.

Question 2: Chemically treating a dead person's body to stop the development of microbes, slow organic decomposition, and restore a respectable outward look is accomplished by:

refrigeration
embalming (Correct answer)
funeral directing
restorative art

Correct answer: embalming

Embalming is the specific process involving the injection of preservative chemicals into the vascular system and cavities of a deceased body. Its primary purposes are sanitation, temporary preservation against decomposition, and restoration of a natural appearance. While refrigeration slows decomposition, it doesn't involve chemical treatment, and restorative art is a component of embalming focused on appearance, not the overall chemical preservation.

Question 3: One-site injection and drainage is referred to as:

restricted cervical
split injection
multi-point injection
one point injection (Correct answer)

Correct answer: one point injection

One-point injection refers to the embalming technique where both the arterial injection of embalming fluid and the venous drainage of blood occur from a single site or vessel. This method is commonly used when only one artery and one vein are raised for the embalming process. Other options describe different injection/drainage strategies.

Question 4: Which of the following ailments calls for extra care when embalming the thoracic cavity? 1. hydrothorax 2. ascites 3. hydropericardium 4. hydroperiteneum

1 and 3 (Correct answer)
1 and 2
3 and 4
2 and 4

Correct answer: 1 and 3

Hydrothorax (fluid in the pleural cavity surrounding the lungs) and hydropericardium (fluid in the pericardial sac surrounding the heart) are both conditions that involve fluid accumulation *within the thoracic cavity*. These conditions require special attention during embalming, often necessitating aspiration and treatment of the thoracic cavity. Ascites and hydroperitoneum refer to fluid in the abdominal cavity.

Question 5: These terms describe severe generalized edema:

ascites
anasarca (Correct answer)
hypostasis
hydrocele

Correct answer: anasarca

Anasarca is the medical term for severe, generalized edema, characterized by widespread swelling of the skin and subcutaneous tissue due to an accumulation of fluid. Ascites refers specifically to fluid in the abdominal cavity, hypostasis is the settling of blood, and hydrocele is fluid accumulation around the testicle. Therefore, anasarca is the correct term for generalized edema.

Question 6: In a 16-ounce bottle of 25 index arterial fluid, how many ounces of formaldehyde are there?

4 ounces (Correct answer)
2 ounces
8 ounces
6 ounces

Correct answer: 4 ounces

The index of arterial fluid refers to the percentage of formaldehyde gas by volume. A 25 index fluid means it contains 25% formaldehyde. To calculate the amount of formaldehyde in a 16-ounce bottle, multiply the total volume by the index: 16 ounces * 0.25 = 4 ounces.

Question 7: The following low index substances are used to prevent bilirubin from converting to biliverdin:

jaundice fluids (Correct answer)
humectants
co-injection fluids
pre-injection fluids

Correct answer: jaundice fluids

Jaundice fluids are specially formulated embalming chemicals designed for bodies with jaundice. They typically have a low formaldehyde index and contain reducing agents or dyes to prevent the oxidation of bilirubin (yellow pigment) into biliverdin (green pigment), which would worsen the discoloration. Humectants add moisture, co-injection fluids enhance preservation, and pre-injection fluids prepare the vascular system.

Question 8: The pleural effusion is also known as:

hydrocele
ascites
hydropericardium
hydrothorax (Correct answer)

Correct answer: hydrothorax

Pleural effusion is the medical term for an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, which is the area between the lungs and the chest wall. 'Hydrothorax' is a direct synonym for this condition, specifically meaning 'water in the chest.' The other options refer to fluid in different body cavities.

Question 9: When formaldehyde combines with hemoglobin in the tissues, a discoloration results that is known as:

pigmentation
biliverdin
icterus
formaldehyde grey (Correct answer)

Correct answer: formaldehyde grey

Formaldehyde grey is a characteristic grayish discoloration that can occur in tissues when formaldehyde reacts with unremoved blood, specifically hemoglobin. This reaction forms a methemoglobin-formaldehyde complex, leading to the undesirable greyish appearance. It's a common concern for embalmers if proper drainage is not achieved.

Question 10: The following is the formaldehyde standard for brief exposure to formaldehyde:

2 ppm/15 minutes (Correct answer)
1ppm/15 minutes
8 ppm/15 minutes
5 ppm/15 minutes

Correct answer: 2 ppm/15 minutes

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) sets standards for formaldehyde exposure. The Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL) for formaldehyde is 2 parts per million (ppm) over a 15-minute period. This limit is designed to protect workers from acute, short-term health effects.

Question 11: Proteolysis is the breakdown of:

proteins (Correct answer)
fats
carbohydrates
sugars

Correct answer: proteins

Proteolysis is a biochemical process involving the breakdown of proteins into smaller polypeptides or amino acids. This process is catalyzed by enzymes called proteases. In the context of decomposition, proteolysis is a key stage where the body's proteins begin to break down, contributing to the overall decay process.

Question 12: Any unusual color that appears on or in the human body is referred to as:

evaporation
hydration
discoloration (Correct answer)
desiccation

Correct answer: discoloration

Discoloration is the general term used to describe any abnormal or unusual change in the color of the skin or tissues, whether it's due to disease, post-mortem changes, or the embalming process itself. Evaporation, hydration, and desiccation refer to water content changes, not color changes.

Question 13: When all essential functions stop permanently, it means:

syncope
death (Correct answer)
dehydration
autolysis

Correct answer: death

Death is defined as the irreversible cessation of all vital functions, including circulatory, respiratory, and brain activity. Syncope is a temporary loss of consciousness (fainting), dehydration is a lack of water, and autolysis is the self-digestion of cells after death, not death itself.

Question 14: This embalming technique involves injecting a little amount of arterial chemical, pausing the injection, allowing the fluid to drain for a short while, and then repeating the procedure:

concurrent
alternate (Correct answer)
intermittent
continuous

Correct answer: alternate

The alternate method of injection and drainage involves injecting embalming fluid for a period, then stopping the injection to allow drainage to occur, and then repeating this cycle. This technique helps to build arterial pressure and distribute fluid more effectively while also allowing for thorough drainage. Concurrent means injection and drainage happen simultaneously, intermittent involves periodic drainage, and continuous means both are constant.

Question 15: For this, a needle injector is employed:

aspiration
mouth closure (Correct answer)
to close incisions
arterial injection

Correct answer: mouth closure

A needle injector is a specialized embalming instrument used to secure the mandible (lower jaw) to the maxilla (upper jaw) for mouth closure. It fires a barbed needle into the bone, providing a firm anchor for wiring or ligating the mouth shut. This is a common method for achieving a natural and secure mouth position.

Question 16: Before death, there is an instantaneous escape of blood serum from an intravascular to an extravascular region.

ascites
asepsis
anasarca
agonal edema (Correct answer)

Correct answer: agonal edema

Agonal edema refers to the accumulation of fluid in the tissues just before death, resulting from the body's failing circulatory system and increased capillary permeability. This shift of blood serum from within the vessels (intravascular) to the surrounding tissues (extravascular) is a pre-mortem condition. Ascites, asepsis, and anasarca are different conditions or concepts.

Free BMS Embalming Questions and Answers

When pneumonia has been the cause of death, an embalmer should anticipate: