Massachusetts Funeral Director Practice Exam

What method is used to relieve rigor mortis effectively?

1. Applying heat to the body

2. Moving the jaw

3. Massaging limbs and joints

4. Injecting saline solution

The correct answer is: Moving the jaw

The correct answer is moving the jaw. This method is effective because rigor mortis, which is the stiffening of the muscles after death, can be somewhat alleviated by manipulating the muscles and joints of the body. The jaw, being one of the first areas to become rigid, can particularly benefit from this motion. By gently moving the jaw, it helps to relax the associated muscles, thereby making the embalming and preparation process easier and more manageable. Applying heat to the body, while it may seem logical as heat typically promotes relaxation of muscles, is not an effective or commonly recommended method for relieving rigor mortis in a post-mortem case. Heat can also have adverse effects, such as causing tissue damage. Massaging limbs and joints can also be beneficial, but the specific act of moving the jaw is particularly highlighted in effective rigor mortis management. Finally, injecting saline solution does not directly alleviate rigor mortis; instead, it could serve other purposes in embalming practices but would not resolve stiffness in the muscles caused by rigor mortis.