In electrocution or lightning strike during cardiac arrest, what precaution should be considered?

In electrocution or lightning strike during cardiac arrest, what precaution should be considered?

• A. Spinal motion restriction
• B. Defibrillate immediately after 30 minutes
• C. High-dose aspirin
• D. Do not perform CPR

Answer: (A)

Spinal motion restriction is important here because electrical injuries from electrocution or lightning can be accompanied by blunt trauma, including neck or spine injuries that aren’t immediately obvious. Protecting the spine during assessment and resuscitation helps prevent further injury while you check airway, breathing, and circulation. In practice, assume a possible cervical spine injury and keep the head and neck in a neutral, aligned position; use manual in-line stabilization and apply a collar if available, adding immobilization as you proceed with CPR or move the patient. Defibrillating immediately after a long delay isn’t appropriate; defibrillation should be guided by rhythm and delivered as soon as a shockable rhythm is present, not after a fixed 30-minute wait. High-dose aspirin isn’t indicated in this context, since the scenario is electrical injury with potential trauma rather than a typical myocardial infarction. And CPR should be performed when appropriate; withholding CPR contradicts basic resuscitation principles.

Spinal motion restriction is important here because electrical injuries from electrocution or lightning can be accompanied by blunt trauma, including neck or spine injuries that aren’t immediately obvious. Protecting the spine during assessment and resuscitation helps prevent further injury while you check airway, breathing, and circulation. In practice, assume a possible cervical spine injury and keep the head and neck in a neutral, aligned position; use manual in-line stabilization and apply a collar if available, adding immobilization as you proceed with CPR or move the patient.

Defibrillating immediately after a long delay isn’t appropriate; defibrillation should be guided by rhythm and delivered as soon as a shockable rhythm is present, not after a fixed 30-minute wait. High-dose aspirin isn’t indicated in this context, since the scenario is electrical injury with potential trauma rather than a typical myocardial infarction. And CPR should be performed when appropriate; withholding CPR contradicts basic resuscitation principles.