What is the primary concern for a patient receiving treatment after a lightning strike?

What is the primary concern for a patient receiving treatment after a lightning strike?

• A. Burns
• B. Electrical injury
• C. Cardiac rhythm monitoring
• D. Neurological assessment

Answer: (C)

The primary concern for a patient receiving treatment after a lightning strike is cardiac rhythm monitoring. Lightning strikes can cause significant electrical injuries that may lead to cardiac arrhythmias. The intense electrical current can disrupt the heart's normal rhythm, causing conditions such as ventricular fibrillation or asystole. It is crucial to monitor the patient's cardiac rhythm closely to identify and manage any potentially life-threatening arrhythmias promptly. While burns and neurological assessments are also important considerations, monitoring the cardiac function takes precedence because of the immediate risk to life posed by cardiac dysrhythmias. It's essential for medical personnel to stabilize the patient's heart function, as this can be a critical and time-sensitive issue following such an electrical injury.

The primary concern for a patient receiving treatment after a lightning strike is cardiac rhythm monitoring. Lightning strikes can cause significant electrical injuries that may lead to cardiac arrhythmias. The intense electrical current can disrupt the heart's normal rhythm, causing conditions such as ventricular fibrillation or asystole. It is crucial to monitor the patient's cardiac rhythm closely to identify and manage any potentially life-threatening arrhythmias promptly.

While burns and neurological assessments are also important considerations, monitoring the cardiac function takes precedence because of the immediate risk to life posed by cardiac dysrhythmias. It's essential for medical personnel to stabilize the patient's heart function, as this can be a critical and time-sensitive issue following such an electrical injury.