Massachusetts Funeral Director Practice Exam

What effect does placing a body in a plastic body bag and refrigerating it have?

1. It prevents all types of decomposition

2. It speeds up dehydration

3. It traps moisture, slowing dehydration

4. It enhances the body's preservation

The correct answer is: It traps moisture, slowing dehydration

Placing a body in a plastic body bag and refrigerating it primarily traps moisture, which slows the dehydration process. The plastic barrier can create a microenvironment that retains moisture around the body, limiting the exposure to air, which contributes significantly to dehydration and decomposition. While refrigeration does lower the temperature and can slow down the overall decomposition process by inhibiting bacterial growth, the presence of the plastic body bag specifically contributes to moisture retention. In this context, the effects of refrigeration are also important to consider, as cooling the body reduces metabolic and bacterial activity, which helps to delay decomposition. However, the primary function of the plastic body bag in this scenario is to trap moisture, making it a key factor in the slowing of dehydration. It's important to note that while these measures can delay decomposition, they do not completely prevent it. Additionally, the other options do not accurately reflect the interaction of the body bag and refrigeration in this context.