Funeral Services Embalming & Body Preparation 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of arterial embalming?
- To disinfect and temporarily preserve the body (Correct answer)
- To remove all body fluids permanently
- To reconstruct facial features
- To prevent rigor mortis
Correct answer: To disinfect and temporarily preserve the body
Arterial embalming introduces preservative chemicals through the vascular system to disinfect and temporarily preserve the body for viewing.
Question 2: Which artery is most commonly used as the primary injection site during embalming?
- Femoral artery
- Radial artery
- Common carotid artery (Correct answer)
- Brachial artery
Correct answer: Common carotid artery
The common carotid artery is most frequently used as the primary injection site because it provides easy access and effective distribution of embalming fluid.
Question 3: What chemical is the primary preservative in most embalming fluids?
- Methanol
- Formaldehyde (Correct answer)
- Ethanol
- Glutaraldehyde
Correct answer: Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is the primary preservative in embalming fluids because it cross-links proteins to prevent decomposition.
Question 4: What is cavity embalming used for?
- Preserving the skin surface
- Treating decomposed remains
- Aspirating and treating the thoracic and abdominal cavities (Correct answer)
- Restoring facial features
Correct answer: Aspirating and treating the thoracic and abdominal cavities
Cavity embalming involves aspirating the contents of the thoracic and abdominal cavities and injecting cavity fluid to preserve internal organs.
Question 5: Rigor mortis typically begins within how many hours after death?
- 1–2 hours
- 2–6 hours (Correct answer)
- 12–24 hours
- 48–72 hours
Correct answer: 2–6 hours
Rigor mortis typically begins within 2–6 hours after death as ATP is depleted and actin-myosin bonds form in muscle tissue.
Question 6: Which condition requires special care during embalming due to increased risk of fluid leakage?
- Hypertension
- Edema (Correct answer)
- Anemia
- Diabetes
Correct answer: Edema
Edema causes tissues to be saturated with excess fluid, increasing the risk of leakage and requiring modified embalming techniques.
What is the primary purpose of arterial embalming?