ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
List some examples of vehicles used in embalming fluid. - CORRECT ANSWER - Water,
Alcohol
Those chemicals which are used to make or destroy the odors of the decomposing body -
CORRECT ANSWER - Deodorants
List some examples of humectants. - CORRECT ANSWER - Glycerol a.k.a. Glycerin,
Sorbitol, Glycols, Lanolin
Those chemicals in embalming fluid which will reduce the molecular cohesion of a liquid -
CORRECT ANSWER - Surfactant
List the components of solid autopsy chemical. - CORRECT ANSWER - Preservative,
Dehydrating agent, Filler
List the fillers that are added to autopsy chemicals. - CORRECT ANSWER - Perlite,
vermiculite and cellulose (saw dust)
Those embalming fluids which are intended to be injected into the cavities of the body following
aspiration - CORRECT ANSWER - Cavity fluid
List the 5 factors that affect the shelf-life of an embalming chemical. - CORRECT
ANSWER - 1. Temperature extremes 2. Storage length 3. Amount of antipolymerization
agents 4. pH of the solution 5. Exposure to light
9. The substance carbon tetrachloride is used in embalming as a(n) - CORRECT
ANSWER - Organic solvent
,Differentiate between exothermic and endothermic processes. - CORRECT ANSWER -
Exothermic processes give off heat. Endothermic processes absorb heat from the surroundings.
The antipolymerization agent for formaldehyde - CORRECT ANSWER - Methanol
List and give an example from each of the three families that are used as disinfectants and
preservatives. - CORRECT ANSWER - Aldehydes - Examples: Formaldehyde and
Glutaraldehyde, Alcohols - Examples: Methanol, Ethanol and Propanol, Coal Tar Derivatives -
Examples: Phenol and Cresol
Those chemicals in arterial fluid that inactivate the saprophytic bacteria and inhibit further
decomposition - CORRECT ANSWER - Preservatives
Those lipids that contain 3 fatty acids - CORRECT ANSWER - Triglycerides
Define Isomers. - CORRECT ANSWER - Two or more substances that consist of the
same molecular composition but have a different arrangement.
The common use of ethylene glycol - CORRECT ANSWER - Antifreeze
List examples of a chemical change relative to funeral services. - CORRECT ANSWER -
Embalming, Cremation, Decomposition
Those substances which are composed of 2 or more elements physically combined, though not
chemically combined - CORRECT ANSWER - Mixtures
Other than being a good humectant, how is glycerol used in the arterial injection? - CORRECT
ANSWER - It serves to facilitate the solubility and the diffusion of the formaldehyde in
the embalming operation.
,An ion composed of atoms of 2 or more elements - CORRECT ANSWER - Polyatomic
ions
Another name for Phenol - CORRECT ANSWER - Carbolic acid
Give an example of Rapid Oxidation. - CORRECT ANSWER - Burning of wood or paper
List some physical characteristics of Formaldehyde - CORRECT ANSWER - Colorless
gas with pungent odor
List the substance name for formaldehyde in each of the following three states of Matter (Liquid,
Solid, Gas). - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Formalin 2. Paraformaldehyde 3. Formaldehyde
Formalin is what percentage formaldehyde by weight? by volume? - CORRECT
ANSWER - By weight 37% By volume 40%
Differentiate between Hypotonic and Hypertonic solutions. - CORRECT ANSWER -
Hypotonic Solutions contains less solute and a Hypertonic solution contains more solute.
The saponification of human fats will produce - CORRECT ANSWER - Grave wax a.k.a.
Adipocere
Are proteins crystalloid or colloid? - CORRECT ANSWER - Crystalloid
What happens to the body's enzymes upon death? - CORRECT ANSWER - Since there is
no additional substrate coming into the body, it will act upon the body's tissue.
Formaldehyde has an affinity for this element - CORRECT ANSWER - Nitrogen
, Paraformaldehyde is used in embalming as - CORRECT ANSWER - a treatment for
viscera or open cavities of autopsied bodies
Acetone is used in embalming as - CORRECT ANSWER - Organic Solvent
What part of the embalming process will neutralize endoenzymes? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Arterial Injection
List the 5 actions of preservatives. - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Neutralize protein and
amino acids 2. Inhibit further decomposition 3. Inactivate enzymes 4. Kill Microorganisms 5.
Destroy odors of decomposition
The solid form of protein - CORRECT ANSWER - Coagulate
What happens to a protein coagulate if the body contains excessive amounts of water following
the embalming? - CORRECT ANSWER - The coagulate can return back to the liquid form
of protein which is more susceptible to decomposition
List the characteristics of Formaldehyde. - CORRECT ANSWER - Colorless, water-
soluble gas with a pungent, irritating odor
The liquid compound form of formaldehyde - CORRECT ANSWER - Formalin
List some examples of Disinfectants. - CORRECT ANSWER - Gluturaldehyde,
Quaternary Ammonium compound
The slow oxidation of organic matter caused by aerobic bacteria - CORRECT ANSWER -
Putrefaction
When Ammonia and Formaldehyde mix, what is produced? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Urotropin