Washington Embalmer Licensing Exam
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of embalming?
A. Restore life
B. Preserve remains temporarily
C. Cremate remains
D. Sterilize permanently
Answer: B
Rationale: Embalming temporarily preserves the body, delays
decomposition, and allows for viewing.
2. Which chemical is the main preservative in embalming fluid?
A. Methanol
B. Phenol
C. Formaldehyde
D. Glycerin
, Rationale: Formaldehyde is the primary preservative due to its
protein-fixing properties.
3. What is the average percentage of formaldehyde in arterial fluid?
A. 2–5%
B. 10–15%
C. 18–37%
D. 50%
Rationale: Concentrated formaldehyde (formalin) typically contains
37% formaldehyde gas in solution.
4. Which vessel is most commonly used for arterial injection?
A. Radial artery
B. Right common carotid artery
C. Femoral vein
D. Jugular vein
Rationale: The right common carotid artery provides efficient
distribution of embalming fluid.
5. Which vein is commonly used for drainage?
A. Femoral artery
B. Radial vein
C. Jugular vein
D. Subclavian artery
Rationale: The jugular vein is large and ideal for effective drainage.
, 6. What is the function of a humectant in embalming fluid?
A. Dehydrate tissue
B. Preserve color
C. Retain moisture
D. Disinfect
Rationale: Humectants prevent excessive drying of tissues.
7. Rigor mortis is caused by:
A. Bacterial growth
B. Chemical changes in muscles
C. Loss of blood
D. Oxygen depletion
Rationale: Rigor mortis results from ATP depletion and muscle fiber
contraction.
8. Livor mortis refers to:
A. Body cooling
B. Muscle stiffening
C. Postmortem discoloration
D. Tissue breakdown
Rationale: Livor mortis is the settling of blood causing discoloration.
9. Algor mortis is defined as:
A. Muscle rigidity
B. Cooling of the body after death
C. Blood clotting
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of embalming?
A. Restore life
B. Preserve remains temporarily
C. Cremate remains
D. Sterilize permanently
Answer: B
Rationale: Embalming temporarily preserves the body, delays
decomposition, and allows for viewing.
2. Which chemical is the main preservative in embalming fluid?
A. Methanol
B. Phenol
C. Formaldehyde
D. Glycerin
, Rationale: Formaldehyde is the primary preservative due to its
protein-fixing properties.
3. What is the average percentage of formaldehyde in arterial fluid?
A. 2–5%
B. 10–15%
C. 18–37%
D. 50%
Rationale: Concentrated formaldehyde (formalin) typically contains
37% formaldehyde gas in solution.
4. Which vessel is most commonly used for arterial injection?
A. Radial artery
B. Right common carotid artery
C. Femoral vein
D. Jugular vein
Rationale: The right common carotid artery provides efficient
distribution of embalming fluid.
5. Which vein is commonly used for drainage?
A. Femoral artery
B. Radial vein
C. Jugular vein
D. Subclavian artery
Rationale: The jugular vein is large and ideal for effective drainage.
, 6. What is the function of a humectant in embalming fluid?
A. Dehydrate tissue
B. Preserve color
C. Retain moisture
D. Disinfect
Rationale: Humectants prevent excessive drying of tissues.
7. Rigor mortis is caused by:
A. Bacterial growth
B. Chemical changes in muscles
C. Loss of blood
D. Oxygen depletion
Rationale: Rigor mortis results from ATP depletion and muscle fiber
contraction.
8. Livor mortis refers to:
A. Body cooling
B. Muscle stiffening
C. Postmortem discoloration
D. Tissue breakdown
Rationale: Livor mortis is the settling of blood causing discoloration.
9. Algor mortis is defined as:
A. Muscle rigidity
B. Cooling of the body after death
C. Blood clotting
