ch. 21 - proper fluid balance

What is a major objective of the embalming process when it comes to moisture?

Maintain proper balance.

Improper postmortem sheltering?

Refrigeration.

Total body water in a healthy average male?

50-60%

Obese male total body water?

65%

Total body water in a healthy average female?

45%-60%

Obese female total body water?

55%

16 oz = ____ lbs

1 lb

Emaciation and dehydration were seen in the early years of ?

AIDS.

Refrigeration and gravitation can remove moisture from where?

upper areas such as face and neck

Does viscosity thicken when refrigerated?

Yes

What would increase postmortem coagula?

Refrigeration.

Skin characteristics on dehydration?

Flaky

What helps control flaking?

liberal application of massage cream.

Is dehydrated firm or elastic?

firm

Are desiccated bodies viewable? Why?

No, because they are extremely dehydrated.

Desiccated lips appearance?

Black, wrinkled and shrunken

When does dehydration occur?

Antemortem agonal.

Postmortem periods

Why is it unwise to niject from the femoral or external iliac arteries?

If clots are present, they could be pushed up to the carotid.

How do you correct darken skin?

Cosmetic.

Fluid dyes

Downside when there is a firm feel to the skin?

Skin feels embalmed.

How do you dilute thickened blood?

Pre-injection fluid.

Intracellular?

Within the cells.

Intercellular?

Within the spaces between the cells.

Abnormal amounts of fluid can be found in what 3 body sites?

Intracellular

Intercellular

Within the body cavities.

Is Edema generalized or local?

It can be either.

What is generalized Edema?

Anasarca.

When do you find edema within the cells?

In individuals using corticosteroids.

Cellular Edema? AKA?

Moisture retained by the cell

Cellular Solid Edema is often seen where?

Facial tissue.

Cellular Edema in the facial edema does not respond to what?

embalming treatments.

Intercellular Edema AKA?

Pitting Edema

Is Pitting Edema generalized or localized?

It can be either.

Ascites?

Edema of the abdominal cavity. (Peritoneal cavity)

Hydrothorax?

Edema in the pleural cavity

Hydrocephalus?

Edema in the cranial cavity?

Hydroperiocardium?

Edema of the pericardial sac surrounding the heart.

Hydrocele?

Accumulation of serous fluid in saclike cavity.

Bodies with large amounts of edema also exhibit?

Leakage from intravenous punctures and small openings.

Embalming problems created by Anasarca?

1. Affected tissues get swollen

2. Edema gravitates

3. Fluid can leak

4. Arterial fluid is diluted

5. Decomp is speeded

6. Possibility of separation of the skin

What is the first thing you should do if the face is affected by edema?

Determine whether solid or pitting.

Which type of edema cannot be indented by pressure from the fingers?

Solid

Can pitting edema can be gravitated?

Yes

How do you treat generalized edema?

1. inject arterial solution

2. Remove as much Edema as possible

Generalized edema can the result of ?

Heart disease or renal failure.

When is there a buildup of nitrogenous waste?

Renal failure.

How should you position a body with generalized edema on the cot, for several hours to encourage the edema to pass.

Standing position.

Epsom salts?

Salt coinjection

Do bodies with generalized edema exhibit good or bad circulation?

Good.

How should you inject a body with generalized edema?

restricted cervical.

After injecting a body with generalized edema with 1.5-2 gallons what do you do?

Stop injection for one and a half hours to allow exchanges to occur.

Then inject .5-1 gallon and stop again.

Local treatment for edema?

1. 1. sectional injection
   2. direct hypodermic injections
   3. elevations and gravitation
   4. channeling
   5. Lancing and draining
   6. plastic protective garments.

What is the best way to embalm legs with edema?

with standard-strength arterial solution.

When there is edema in the legs, should you prepare the strong solution for the whole body?

NOPE

How should you position the legs when there is edema in the legs?

Elevate, wrap with an elastic bandage (from foot up the leg.)

Can you inject edema filled legs with cavity fluid or high index fluids?

Yes, either.

Should you drain if only the elbow has edema?

No, unless you have a lot of time.

Can you wick the edema from an elbow?

If there is time.

Can you inject cavity fluid into an elbow with edema?

Yes, with an infant trocar.

Can you sectional arterial inject the trunk if it's filled with edema?

No.

How should you treat edema of the trunk?

Hypodermic injection (with infant trocar) with cavity fluid.

Are ascites easy to spot?

No

Are ascites affected by arterial fluid treatments?

No

Are ascites affected by blood drainage?

No

How do you dilute ascites after they are found?

Cavity fluid.

Hydrothorax is treated how?

Trocar through the standard point of entry.

Is Hydrothorax easily recognizable?

No

Hydrothorax is present when?

Heart disease and pneumonia.

Hydrocele treatment?

Condition is treated during aspiration and injection of the body cavities. Place a towel around the scrotum and apply pressure.

How do you seal a puncture in the scrotum?

Superglue or trocar button.

Hydrocephalus drainage has to be done how quickly? Why?

Rapidly, because of decomp of the brain.

What should you inject to treat hydrocephalus?

cavity fluid or phenol.

Can individuals survive with hydrocephalus?

For many years, yes.

Do embalmers see blistering conditions from burned bodies?

Rarely.

Burned body death is usually the result of?

Renal failure.

Why do burned bodies distend?

Kidneys cannot handle the waste.

What kind of solution should you use for burnt bodies?

Waterless or strong solution.

Can you suture long sutures in burn bodies?

No

What should you place burnt bodies in?

unionalls.

Is leakage a problem for burnt bodies?

Yes

How important is cavity embalming in renal failure cases?

VERY

How do you find out if there were any renal failures?

Check the death certificate at first.