Embalming Fluids

Question 1

Formaldehyde/Formalin

Answer 1

• Preservative
• Primarily used during arterial embalming
  (Dodge: Introfiant)

Question 2

Phenol

Answer 2

• Carbolic Acid
• Preservative and Germicide
• Found in arterial and cavity fluids
• Often used in medical cadavers

Question 3

What is a modifying agent/Co-Injection Chemicals

Answer 3

Chemicals/fluids that control the rate of action of the main preservative chemicals.

Question 4

Buffer

Answer 4

• modifying agent
• Control the acid-base balance of fluid and tissues (pH)
  (Dodge: Rectifiant)

Question 5

Humectant

Answer 5

• Modifying agent
• Help control tissue moisture balance
  (Dodge: Restorative)

Question 6

Anticoagulant

Answer 6

• modifying agent
• Water conditioning agent/ water softener
• intended to REDUCE WATER HARDNESS, improve drainage by preventing clots, improve dyes in arterial solution (they work better in alkaline conditions)

(Dodge: Proflow, Metaflow)
(Pierce: One- Point)

Question 7

Surfactant

Answer 7

• Modifying agent
• Wetting agents, surface tension reducers, penetrating agents, or surface active agents
• Helps with drainage
• lowering surface tension lowers capillary attraction, which is the force that attracts liquid in the capillaries. Allows for liquid/blood to be easily loosened and flow

Question 8

Dyes

Answer 8

• coloring agents
• active dye: imparts color to the body (Dodge: Icterine)
• Inactive dye: only changes the color of the fluid

Question 9

Other Notable Co-Injection/Modifying Chemicals

Answer 9

1. Edema Preventative (Dodge: Edemaco)
2. Gas Preventative (Dodge: Halt GX)

Question 10

Distribution

Answer 10

• Movement of arterial solutions from the point of injection to distal parts of the body
• the arterial solution moving throughout the arteries

Question 11

Diffusion

Answer 11

Movement of the arterial solution from the vascular system into the surrounding tissues (occurring at the capillaries)

Question 12

Examples of Preservatives

Answer 12

• Alcohols (methanol, ethanol, isopropanol)
• Aldehydes (Mathanal/Formaldehyde, Gluteraldehyde, Ethanal/Acetaldehyde)
• Phenolic Compounds (phenol, phenolic derivatives)

Question 13

Examples of Supplemental Germicides

Answer 13

• Chemicals added specifically for the purpose of destroying disease causing microorganisms
• QUATS, glutaraldehyde

Question 14

Glutaraldehyde

Answer 14

• supplemental germicide, preservative, surface disinfectant

Question 15

Examples of Dyes

Answer 15

• esoine (Active orange dye)
• erythrosine (Active red dye)
• ponceau red (inactive red dye)

Question 16

Examples of deodorants or perfuming agents

Answer 16

• ester
• Methyl salicylate
• Oil of wintergreen
• Benzaldehyde
• Oil of bitter almonds
• Oil of sassafras
• Oil of cloves

Question 17

Examples of Vehicles/Diluents/Solvents

Answer 17

• solvents that serve as the carriers of the components in embalming fluid
• Water (water is not an organic solvent)
• Alcohols
• Organic solvents

Question 18

Examples of Humectants

Answer 18

• chemicals used to create an increase capability for embalmed tissues to retain moisture
• Glycerol/glycerine
• sorbitol
• Glycols
• non-alcohol lanolin

Question 19

Lanolin

Answer 19

An emollient: a chemical that gives a soft lifelike feel

Question 20

examples of buffers

Answer 20

• chemicals that have an effect on the acid base balance of solutions
• borax (sodium borate)
• Sodium phosphate
• Side treats
• EDTA

Question 21

Examples of Water conditioning agents/water softeners/ anticoagulants/ sequestering agents

Answer 21

• neutralize is the calcium or magnesium ions in the water that causes blood coagulate
• Sodium citrate
• EDTA
• Oxalate salts

Question 22

Examples of Surfactants/surface active agents/ wetting agent/ surface tension reducer/ penetrating agent

Answer 22

• Sulfonates
• Sodium lauryl sulfate

Question 23

Hardening compounds (and examples)

Answer 23

• Solid autopsy chemicals used to treat the viscera and the cavities of an autopsied body
• Paraformaldehyde (preservative)
• Aluminum chloride (dehydrating agent)
• alum (dehydrating agent)
• Plaster of Paris (dehydrating agent)
• Perlite (filler)
• Vermiculite (filler)
• Cellulose (filler)
• Sawdust (filler)