ELETROCUTION SHOCK

Electric Shock and Lightning Overview

Patient Comments
An electric shock occurs when a person comes into contact with an electrical energy source.
Electrical energy flows through a portion of the body causing a shock. Exposure to electrical
energy may result in no injury at all or may result in devastating damage or death.
Many people get electric shocks obtained from man-made objects such as electrical
appliances, electrical wires, and electrical circuitry. In addition, lightning strikes are a natural
form of electric shock. Burns are the most common injury from electric shock and lightning
strikes.
The human body conducts electricity very well. That means, electricity passes very easily
throughout the body. Direct contact with electrical current can be deadly. While some
electrical burns look minor, there still may be serious internal damage, especially to the heart,
muscles, or brain.
Electric current can cause injury in three ways:

Cardiac arrest due to the electrical effect on the heart

Muscle, nerve, and tissue destruction from a current passing through the body

Thermal burns from contact with the electrical source

Symptoms of electric shock

The typical symptoms of an electric shock include:

Unconscious
Difficulties in breathing or no breathing at all
A weak pulse or pulseless.
Burns, particularly entrance and exit burns(where the electricity entered and left the
body)
Sudden onset of cardiac arrest.

Causes of electric shock

Some of the causes of electric shock include:

Faulty appliances
Damaged or flayed cords or extension leads.
Electical appliances coming in with water.
Incorrect or deteriorated household wiring.
Downed powerlines
Lightnig strike.

First Aid
Take the following steps if you think a person is in shock:

Call 911 for immediate medical help.

Check the person's airway, breathing, and circulation. If necessary, begin rescue
breathing and CPR.

Even if the person is able to breathe on his or her own, continue to check rate of
breathing at least every 5 minutes until help arrives.

If the person is conscious and does NOT have an injury to the head, leg, neck, or
spine, place the person in the shock position. Lay the person on the back and elevate
the legs about 12 inches. Do NOT elevate the head. If raising the legs will cause pain
or potential harm, leave the person lying flat.

Give appropriate first aid for any wounds, injuries, or illnesses.

Keep the person warm and comfortable. Loosen tight clothing.

IF THE PERSON VOMITS OR DROOLS

Turn the head to one side to prevent choking. Do this as long as you do not suspect an
injury to the spine.

If a spinal injury is suspected, "log roll" the person instead. To do this, keep the
person's head, neck, and back in line, and roll the body and head as a unit.

Electric Shock Medical Treatment

Treatment of electric shock depends on the severity of the burns or the nature of other injuries
found.

Burns are treated according to severity.

o Minor burns may be treated with topical antibiotic ointment and dressings.
o More severe burns may require surgery to clean the wounds or even skin
grafting.
o Severe burns on the arms, legs, or hands may require surgery to remove
damaged muscle or even amputation.

Other injuries may require treatment.

o Eye injuries may require examination and treatment by an ophthalmologist,
an eye specialist.
o Broken bones require splinting, casting, or surgery to stabilize the bones.
o Internal injuries may require observation or surgery.

Electric Shock Prognosis

Recovery from electric shock depends on the nature and severity of the injuries. The
percentage of the body surface area burned is the most important factor affecting prognosis.
If someone who has received an electric shock does not suffer immediate cardiac arrest and
does not have severe burns, he or she is likely to survive.
Infection is the most common cause of death in people hospitalized following electrical
injury.

Electrical damage to the brain may result in a permanent seizure disorder, depression,
anxiety, or other personality changes.

Things to remember

The human body conducts electricity.

Disconnect the power supply before trying to help someone from an electric shock.
Be especially careful in wet area and around downed power lines
Always hire a licensed electrician for all wiring jobs around the home.

Summary
Electric shock can cause injuries including burns and disturbances to heart rhythm (he
art failure) thatcould be fatal. Always disconnect the power supply before trying to hel
p a victim of electric shock. Beespecially careful in wet areas and around downed
power lines. A safety switch can reduce the risk of electric shock in the home.

Questionnaire
1. A 12 years old chinese boy came in to emergency department with complaints

of electric injury with semi-conscious , 30 % burns over the body area,

hypotension ,pulse rate 150 bpm and Spo2: 92% in room air . Mother claimed
that child was playing the main switched at house. What should you and your
medical team members to perform emergency treatment to this child ?