NBE Science (FSE 217-0901) Sample Questions & Study Guide - 2026-2027 | Funeral Service Exam Prep
Abdominal Anatomical regions (1) nine region plan: by means of four imaginary planes, two of which are horizontal
(indicated by lines drawn across the right and left 10" ribs and across the right and
left anterior superior iliac spines) and two sagittal (indicated by lines drawn from mid
point of inguinal ligament to nipples to nipples of chest, right and left sides). Upper
row - right hypochondriac, epigastric, left hypochondriac. Middle row- right lumbar
umbilical, left lumbar. Lower row- right inguinal (iliac), hypogastric, left inguinal(
iliac). (2) four sagital lan: by means of two imaginary planes, one horizontal and the
other mid- sagittal. Upper right quadrant, upper left quadrant, lower right quadrant,
lower left quadrant.
Abrasion antemortem injuries resulting from friction of the skin against a firm objet resulting in
the removal of the epidermis
Abut to touch or contact, as with the tarsal plates of the closed eyelids
Acessory Chemicals group of chemicals used in additon to Vascular (arterial ) and cavity embalming
fluids; includes but is not limited to hardening compounds, preservative powders,
sealing agents, mold preventative agents, and pack application agents
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome/ AIDS a specific group of diseases or conditions which are indicative of severe
immunosuppression related to infection with the human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV); persons dead having had AIDS may exhibit conditions such as wasting
syndrome, extrapulmonary tuberculosis, and Kaposi's sarcoma
Action Level/ AL Exposure Limits these levels are established to ensure adequate protection of employees at
exposures below the OSHA limits, but to minimize the compliance burdens for
employers whose employees have exposure below the 8hour permissible exposure
limit (PEL). The AL for formaldehyde is 0.5ppm
Actual Pressure that pressure which is indicated by the injector gauge needle when the arterial tube
is open and the arterial solution is flowing into the body
Adipocere (Grave Wax) a wax-like material produced by saponification of body fat in a body buried in
alkaline soil
Aerobic in the presence of free oxygen
Aerosolization to disperse as an aerosol; minute particles of blood and water become atomized
and suspended in air when water under pressure meets the blood drainage or when
flushing an undercover flush sink
Agglutination (Congealing) intravascular, the increase of viscosity of blood brought about by the clumping of
particulate formed elements in the blood vessels
Agonal Algor decrease in body temperature immediately before death
Agonal Coagulation (Congealing) in reference to blood, a change from a fluid into a thickened mass
, NBE Science (FSE 217-0901) Sample Questions & Study Guide - 2026-2027 | Funeral Service Exam Prep
Agonal Dehydration the loss of moisture from the living body during the agonal state
Agonal Edema excape of blood serum from an intravascular to an extravascular location
immediately before death
Agonal Fever increase in body temperature immediately before death
Agonal Period period immediately before somatic death
Algor Mortis post mortem cooling of the body to hte surrounding temperature
Alternate Drainage (Restricted Drainage) Method of injection-drainage in which embalming solution is injected and then
injection is stopped while drainage is open
American Congress of Govermental Industrial Hygienists/ an organization of professional personnel in govermental agencies or educational
ACGIH institutions who are employed i occupational safety and health programs
Amino Acid the building blocks of proteins, and the end products of protein digestion or
hydrolysis, it is a conpound containging amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl (-COOH)
group attached to an alpha carbon and a radical
Anaerobic in the absence of free oxygen
Anasarca generalized massive edema in subcutaneous tissue
Anatomical Guide a descriptive reference for locating arteries and veins by means of anatomical
structures which are known
Anatomical Limits points of origin and points of termination in relation to adjacent structures; used to
designate the boundaries of arteries
Anatomical Position the body is erect, feet together, palms facing forward, and thumbs pointed away
from the body
Aneurysm localized abnormal dilation or outpocketing of a blood vessel resulting from
congenital defect or a weakness of a vessel wall
Aneurysm Hook an embalming instrument used for blunt dissection and in raising vessels; has an
eye in hte hook position of hte instrument for placing ligatures around the vessels
, NBE Science (FSE 217-0901) Sample Questions & Study Guide - 2026-2027 | Funeral Service Exam Prep
Aneurysm Needle an emblalming instrument that is used for blunt dissection an din raising vessels,
which has an eye in hte hook portion of he instrument for placing ligatures around
the vessels
Angular Spring Forceps a multipurpose instrument used in the embalming process
Anomalies deviation from the normal
Antecubital in front of the elbow/in the bend of the elbow
Antemortem before death
Anterior toward the front
Anterior Superior Iliac Spine a bony protuberance, that can be palpated topographically, found on the ilium, the
superior, broad portion of the hipbone; the origin of he inguinal ligament and the
sartorius muscle
Anticoagulant Fluid ingredient of embalming fuluids that retards the natural postmortem tendenfcy of
nlood to become more viscous or prevents adverse reactions between blood and
other embalming chemicals
Apparent Death condition in which th emanifestations of life are feebly maintained
Arterial (Vascular) Fluid the concentrated, preservative, embalming chemical that will be diluted with water
to form the arterial solution for injection into ht earterial system during vascular
embalming. The purpose is for inactivating saprophytic bacteria and rendering the
body tissues less susceptible to decomposition
Arterial Solution the mixture of arterial (Vascular) fluid and water which is used for the arterial
injection and may include supplemental fluids
Arterial Tube a tube used to inject embalming fluid into the blood vascular system
Arteriosclerosis disease of the arteries resulting in thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the
arterial walls
Articulation place of union between two or more bones
Ascites accumulation of serous fluids in the peritoneal cavity
, NBE Science (FSE 217-0901) Sample Questions & Study Guide - 2026-2027 | Funeral Service Exam Prep
Asepsis freedom from infection and from any form of life; sterility.
Asphyxia insufficient intake of wxygen resulting from any of numerous causes
Aspiration withfrawal of gas, fluids, and semi-solids from body cavities and hollow viscera by
means of suction with an aspirator and a trocar
Atheroma fatty degeneration or thickening of the walls of the larger arteries occuring in
atherosclerosis
Autoclave apparatus used for sterilization by steam pressure, usually at 250 degrees F/ 121
degrees C for a specific time
Autolysis self destruction of cells; decomposition of all tissues by enzymes of their own
formation without microbial assistance
Autolytic Enzyme the body's own digestive enzymes that are capable of destroying body cells(
autolytic decompositon)
Autopsy (Postmortem Examination) a postmortem examination of the organs an d tissues of a body to determine cause
of death or pathological condition; necropsy.
Bactericidal Agent agent that destroys bacteria
Bacteriostatic Agent agent that has the ability to inhibit or retard bacterial growth. No destruction of
viability of the microorganism is implied
Balsamic Substance resins combined wiht oil; a fragrant, resinous, oilu exudate from various trees and
plants
Base of the Axillary Space the armpit
Biohazard biological agent or condition that constitutes a hazard to humans
Biohazardous Waste (Infectious Waste) bloodborne pathogens, blood or body fluids exposure, any potentially infective,
contaminated waste associated with the preparation of human remains that
constitutes a hazard to humans in the workplace
Biological Death irreversible somatic death
Abdominal Anatomical regions (1) nine region plan: by means of four imaginary planes, two of which are horizontal
(indicated by lines drawn across the right and left 10" ribs and across the right and
left anterior superior iliac spines) and two sagittal (indicated by lines drawn from mid
point of inguinal ligament to nipples to nipples of chest, right and left sides). Upper
row - right hypochondriac, epigastric, left hypochondriac. Middle row- right lumbar
umbilical, left lumbar. Lower row- right inguinal (iliac), hypogastric, left inguinal(
iliac). (2) four sagital lan: by means of two imaginary planes, one horizontal and the
other mid- sagittal. Upper right quadrant, upper left quadrant, lower right quadrant,
lower left quadrant.
Abrasion antemortem injuries resulting from friction of the skin against a firm objet resulting in
the removal of the epidermis
Abut to touch or contact, as with the tarsal plates of the closed eyelids
Acessory Chemicals group of chemicals used in additon to Vascular (arterial ) and cavity embalming
fluids; includes but is not limited to hardening compounds, preservative powders,
sealing agents, mold preventative agents, and pack application agents
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome/ AIDS a specific group of diseases or conditions which are indicative of severe
immunosuppression related to infection with the human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV); persons dead having had AIDS may exhibit conditions such as wasting
syndrome, extrapulmonary tuberculosis, and Kaposi's sarcoma
Action Level/ AL Exposure Limits these levels are established to ensure adequate protection of employees at
exposures below the OSHA limits, but to minimize the compliance burdens for
employers whose employees have exposure below the 8hour permissible exposure
limit (PEL). The AL for formaldehyde is 0.5ppm
Actual Pressure that pressure which is indicated by the injector gauge needle when the arterial tube
is open and the arterial solution is flowing into the body
Adipocere (Grave Wax) a wax-like material produced by saponification of body fat in a body buried in
alkaline soil
Aerobic in the presence of free oxygen
Aerosolization to disperse as an aerosol; minute particles of blood and water become atomized
and suspended in air when water under pressure meets the blood drainage or when
flushing an undercover flush sink
Agglutination (Congealing) intravascular, the increase of viscosity of blood brought about by the clumping of
particulate formed elements in the blood vessels
Agonal Algor decrease in body temperature immediately before death
Agonal Coagulation (Congealing) in reference to blood, a change from a fluid into a thickened mass
, NBE Science (FSE 217-0901) Sample Questions & Study Guide - 2026-2027 | Funeral Service Exam Prep
Agonal Dehydration the loss of moisture from the living body during the agonal state
Agonal Edema excape of blood serum from an intravascular to an extravascular location
immediately before death
Agonal Fever increase in body temperature immediately before death
Agonal Period period immediately before somatic death
Algor Mortis post mortem cooling of the body to hte surrounding temperature
Alternate Drainage (Restricted Drainage) Method of injection-drainage in which embalming solution is injected and then
injection is stopped while drainage is open
American Congress of Govermental Industrial Hygienists/ an organization of professional personnel in govermental agencies or educational
ACGIH institutions who are employed i occupational safety and health programs
Amino Acid the building blocks of proteins, and the end products of protein digestion or
hydrolysis, it is a conpound containging amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl (-COOH)
group attached to an alpha carbon and a radical
Anaerobic in the absence of free oxygen
Anasarca generalized massive edema in subcutaneous tissue
Anatomical Guide a descriptive reference for locating arteries and veins by means of anatomical
structures which are known
Anatomical Limits points of origin and points of termination in relation to adjacent structures; used to
designate the boundaries of arteries
Anatomical Position the body is erect, feet together, palms facing forward, and thumbs pointed away
from the body
Aneurysm localized abnormal dilation or outpocketing of a blood vessel resulting from
congenital defect or a weakness of a vessel wall
Aneurysm Hook an embalming instrument used for blunt dissection and in raising vessels; has an
eye in hte hook position of hte instrument for placing ligatures around the vessels
, NBE Science (FSE 217-0901) Sample Questions & Study Guide - 2026-2027 | Funeral Service Exam Prep
Aneurysm Needle an emblalming instrument that is used for blunt dissection an din raising vessels,
which has an eye in hte hook portion of he instrument for placing ligatures around
the vessels
Angular Spring Forceps a multipurpose instrument used in the embalming process
Anomalies deviation from the normal
Antecubital in front of the elbow/in the bend of the elbow
Antemortem before death
Anterior toward the front
Anterior Superior Iliac Spine a bony protuberance, that can be palpated topographically, found on the ilium, the
superior, broad portion of the hipbone; the origin of he inguinal ligament and the
sartorius muscle
Anticoagulant Fluid ingredient of embalming fuluids that retards the natural postmortem tendenfcy of
nlood to become more viscous or prevents adverse reactions between blood and
other embalming chemicals
Apparent Death condition in which th emanifestations of life are feebly maintained
Arterial (Vascular) Fluid the concentrated, preservative, embalming chemical that will be diluted with water
to form the arterial solution for injection into ht earterial system during vascular
embalming. The purpose is for inactivating saprophytic bacteria and rendering the
body tissues less susceptible to decomposition
Arterial Solution the mixture of arterial (Vascular) fluid and water which is used for the arterial
injection and may include supplemental fluids
Arterial Tube a tube used to inject embalming fluid into the blood vascular system
Arteriosclerosis disease of the arteries resulting in thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the
arterial walls
Articulation place of union between two or more bones
Ascites accumulation of serous fluids in the peritoneal cavity
, NBE Science (FSE 217-0901) Sample Questions & Study Guide - 2026-2027 | Funeral Service Exam Prep
Asepsis freedom from infection and from any form of life; sterility.
Asphyxia insufficient intake of wxygen resulting from any of numerous causes
Aspiration withfrawal of gas, fluids, and semi-solids from body cavities and hollow viscera by
means of suction with an aspirator and a trocar
Atheroma fatty degeneration or thickening of the walls of the larger arteries occuring in
atherosclerosis
Autoclave apparatus used for sterilization by steam pressure, usually at 250 degrees F/ 121
degrees C for a specific time
Autolysis self destruction of cells; decomposition of all tissues by enzymes of their own
formation without microbial assistance
Autolytic Enzyme the body's own digestive enzymes that are capable of destroying body cells(
autolytic decompositon)
Autopsy (Postmortem Examination) a postmortem examination of the organs an d tissues of a body to determine cause
of death or pathological condition; necropsy.
Bactericidal Agent agent that destroys bacteria
Bacteriostatic Agent agent that has the ability to inhibit or retard bacterial growth. No destruction of
viability of the microorganism is implied
Balsamic Substance resins combined wiht oil; a fragrant, resinous, oilu exudate from various trees and
plants
Base of the Axillary Space the armpit
Biohazard biological agent or condition that constitutes a hazard to humans
Biohazardous Waste (Infectious Waste) bloodborne pathogens, blood or body fluids exposure, any potentially infective,
contaminated waste associated with the preparation of human remains that
constitutes a hazard to humans in the workplace
Biological Death irreversible somatic death
