Funeral Services Embalming & Body Preparation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the term for the discoloration caused by the settling of blood after death?
- Mottling
- Livor mortis (Correct answer)
- Algor mortis
- Putrefaction
Correct answer: Livor mortis
Livor mortis is the purplish-red discoloration that occurs when blood pools in the lowest parts of the body after circulation stops.
Question 2: What PPE is required by OSHA when embalming?
- Gloves only
- Gloves and a lab coat
- Gloves, mask, gown, and eye protection (Correct answer)
- Only a face shield
Correct answer: Gloves, mask, gown, and eye protection
OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard requires funeral workers to wear gloves, mask, gown, and eye protection when embalming to prevent exposure to infectious materials.
Question 3: What is the purpose of a trocar during embalming?
- Injecting arterial fluid
- Aspirating cavity contents and injecting cavity chemical (Correct answer)
- Measuring fluid concentration
- Closing incisions
Correct answer: Aspirating cavity contents and injecting cavity chemical
A trocar is a long hollow instrument used to aspirate the contents of body cavities and inject cavity preservative chemicals.
Question 4: What does the term 'index' refer to in embalming fluid?
- The pH of the solution
- The formaldehyde concentration by percentage (Correct answer)
- The volume of fluid used
- The injection pressure
Correct answer: The formaldehyde concentration by percentage
The index of an embalming fluid refers to its formaldehyde concentration expressed as a percentage, used to determine the strength needed for a case.
Question 5: Which disinfectant is recommended for cleaning embalming room surfaces after a procedure?
- Bleach solution (1:10 dilution) (Correct answer)
- Hydrogen peroxide only
- Rubbing alcohol
- Soap and water only
Correct answer: Bleach solution (1:10 dilution)
A 1:10 bleach solution is an EPA-approved disinfectant effective against bloodborne pathogens and is recommended for decontaminating embalming surfaces.
Question 6: What is the correct order of the embalming process?
- Cavity → Arterial → Hypodermic
- Arterial → Cavity → Hypodermic (Correct answer)
- Hypodermic → Arterial → Cavity
- Arterial → Hypodermic → Cavity
Correct answer: Arterial → Cavity → Hypodermic
The standard order is arterial embalming first to distribute preservatives, followed by cavity treatment, then hypodermic if needed for localized areas.
Funeral Services Embalming & Body Preparation 2
What is the term for the discoloration caused by the settling of blood after death?