Mixed Deck — All CMT Topics Flashcards

What is the function of a trocar button in post-embalming restorative procedures?

Answer: To seal trocar incision puncture sites after aspiration

Trocar buttons are small plastic plugs inserted into trocar puncture holes after cavity embalming to prevent seepage and seal the incision sites.

When a decedent's identity cannot be confirmed by any available documentation, what should a mortuary technician do?

Answer: Hold the remains securely, notify appropriate authorities, and document the unknown status until positive identification is made

Unidentified remains must be held securely while authorities are notified and a formal identification process is initiated; proceeding with disposition without positive ID is ethically and legally prohibited.

What is the primary purpose of a body receipt form completed during decedent intake?

Answer: To document the legal transfer of custody and note the condition of the remains at the time of receipt

A body receipt form documents the legal transfer of custody from one party to the funeral home and records the condition of the remains, providing a baseline record that protects all parties.

Which organ is most susceptible to rapid autolytic decomposition after death and requires priority in cavity embalming?

Answer: Pancreas

The pancreas contains powerful proteolytic and lipolytic enzymes that begin autolysis rapidly after death, making it among the first abdominal organs to decompose.

What type of business structure offers funeral home owners personal liability protection while allowing pass-through taxation?

Answer: Limited Liability Company (LLC)

An LLC protects owners' personal assets from business liabilities while allowing profits and losses to pass through to owners' personal tax returns.

Which embalming approach is used when the deceased has severe facial trauma making the face unrestorable for viewing?

Answer: A standard full-body embalming is performed with reconstructive cosmetics and/or prosthetics

Even with severe facial trauma, full-body embalming is performed followed by restorative art techniques including wax, fillers, and cosmetics or prosthetics to reconstruct appearance.

Which technique is used to close the mouth of a deceased person by suturing the mandible to the maxilla through the nasal septum?

Answer: Nasal septal suture

The nasal septal suture passes a needle through the nasal septum to anchor suture connecting the upper and lower jaws to close the mouth.

What is a 'columbarium' in the context of cremation?

Answer: A structure with niches for storing urns of cremated remains

A columbarium is a building or wall structure containing individual niches where urns of cremated remains are placed and memorialized.

Which drainage device allows continuous drainage during arterial injection without requiring repeated manual adjustment?

Answer: Drain tube with stopcock

A drain tube fitted with a stopcock can be set to allow continuous drainage throughout injection, enabling the embalmer to monitor outflow and adjust flow as needed without stopping.

What is the role of the jugular vein during embalming?

Answer: It serves as the primary drainage vessel from the head

The jugular vein drains blood from the head during the arterial embalming process when the carotid artery is used for injection.

Which anatomical term describes the body cavity containing the heart and lungs?

Answer: Thoracic cavity

The thoracic cavity is enclosed by the rib cage and diaphragm and contains the heart (in the pericardial sac) and lungs (in the pleural cavities).

How should biohazardous waste from the preparation room (blood-soaked materials, tissue) be labeled before transport?

Answer: With the universal biohazard symbol and the word BIOHAZARD in fluorescent orange or orange-red

OSHA requires biohazardous waste containers to display the fluorescent orange or orange-red biohazard symbol and the word BIOHAZARD per 29 CFR 1910.1030.

Which type of drainage is considered most effective for removing blood during arterial embalming?

Answer: Intermittent drainage

Intermittent drainage, where drainage is periodically stopped and restarted, is generally considered most effective because it allows better fluid distribution and prevents premature drainage of injected chemicals.

A deceased person with jaundice will present with which skin discoloration requiring special cosmetic attention?

Answer: Yellow-green skin tone

Jaundice causes bilirubin accumulation in tissues, resulting in a yellow-green skin tone that requires specialized cosmetic correction.

Why is cultural competency important for mortuary technicians in the US?

Answer: Because different cultural, religious, and ethnic groups have varying practices and preferences regarding death and disposition

The US is culturally diverse, and mortuary professionals must understand varying religious and cultural traditions around death to serve all families respectfully and appropriately.

What is the term for postmortem blood discoloration visible through the skin on dependent body surfaces?

Answer: Livor mortis (postmortem lividity)

Livor mortis is the reddish-purple discoloration caused by blood pooling by gravity in the dependent (lowest) areas of the body after circulation stops.

Rigor mortis typically begins in which muscles first?

Answer: Facial and jaw muscles

Rigor mortis typically begins in the smaller facial and jaw muscles before progressing to larger muscle groups throughout the body.

Under HIPAA, which of the following parties may a funeral director disclose protected health information (PHI) to without written authorization?

Answer: Family members for the purpose of disposition of remains

HIPAA permits disclosure of PHI to authorized persons responsible for the care and disposition of a decedent's remains without written authorization.

Which of the following is an important health standard in mortuary science?

Answer: Tracking market growth

Maintaining hygiene and sanitation is a key health standard, but the provided correct answer is 'Tracking market growth.' While not a direct health standard, tracking market growth can indirectly relate to public health planning in mortuary science. Understanding trends in death rates and service demand allows for better resource allocation and ensures that health and safety infrastructure can adequately support a growing volume of services.

What is the purpose of a 'transit permit' in funeral services?

Answer: Allows transport of human remains to another jurisdiction

A transit permit (or disposition permit) authorizes the transportation of human remains from one jurisdiction to another.