Embalming and Mortuary Chemistry Flashcards
7 cards from real BMS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Embalming and Mortuary Chemistry flashcards as text
An embalmer injects arterial fluid but observes no drainage from the jugular vein. What is the most likely cause?
Answer: A large blood clot or thrombus is obstructing venous outflow
Lack of drainage most commonly indicates a venous obstruction such as a postmortem thrombus, antemortem DVT, or coagulated blood blocking the drainage site.
What is the chemical significance of the 'demand' of embalming fluid in a given case?
Answer: The amount of formaldehyde consumed by the body's tissues before preservation is achieved
Fluid demand refers to how much formaldehyde the tissue chemically consumes through reactions with proteins, bacteria, and decomposition products before effective preservation occurs.
Which dye added to arterial embalming fluid serves as both a cosmetic colorant and an indicator of fluid distribution?
Answer: D&C Red No. 28 or similar cosmetic dye
Cosmetic dyes such as D&C Red added to arterial fluid impart a lifelike skin tone and allow the embalmer to visually confirm areas of fluid distribution by their coloration.
In cases of jaundice, the skin appears yellow due to deposition of which pigment?
Answer: Bilirubin
Jaundice results from elevated bilirubin, a bile pigment produced from hemoglobin breakdown, which deposits in skin and sclera when the liver cannot clear it.
Why is it important to use a water softener in embalming fluid preparation when the water supply is hard?
Answer: Calcium and magnesium ions in hard water precipitate formaldehyde, reducing its availability
Calcium and magnesium ions in hard water can form insoluble complexes with formaldehyde and other fluid components, reducing effective preservative concentration.
A body with severe septicemia is being prepared. Compared to a healthy body, which embalming challenge is MOST significant?
Answer: Greatly increased fluid demand because bacterial toxins and proteins consume formaldehyde rapidly
Septicemia introduces massive quantities of bacteria and proteolytic enzymes that rapidly consume injected formaldehyde, dramatically raising the fluid demand needed for preservation.
Which postmortem chemical change directly causes the softening of rigor mortis after 24–72 hours?
Answer: Proteolytic enzyme (cathepsin) breakdown of actin-myosin cross-bridges
As autolytic enzymes — particularly cathepsins — are released from lysosomes, they degrade the actin-myosin filaments holding muscle in contraction, causing rigor to pass.