A patient sustained a serious electrical burn when he stepped on a downed power line. The nurse would assess for which injuries? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected

Question

Select all that apply. 1. Fractures in the arms or legs
2. Cardiac dysrhythmia
3. Vision changes
4. Sooty sputum
5. Extensive partial-thickness burns

Answer 1

1,2,3
Rationale 1: The tetanic muscle contractions caused by electrical current can be strong enough to fracture long bones.
Rationale 2: Cardiac muscle contraction is controlled by electrical impulses. Strong electrical current across the heart can result in cardiac dysfunction.
Rationale 3: Electrical injury can cause cataract formation.
Rationale 4: Soot in the sputum is related to inhalation injury, not electrical injury.
Rationale 5: Extensive partial-thickness burns would be expected with thermal, chemical, or scald burns. The burns associated with electrical current are more likely to be internal.