Electrical, Chemical and Thermal Burns · NCLEX Exam

When comparing thermal burns and electrical burns, one must remember that for electrical burns:

Surface burn size reliably correlates with overall severity.
Internal injury may greatly exceed surface appearance, so monitor ECG and for rhabdomyolysis.
Burn depth in electrical injury is consistently superficial.
Cardiac monitoring is unnecessary when the surface burn looks small.

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Correct answer: Internal injury may greatly exceed surface appearance, so monitor ECG and for rhabdomyolysis.

Electrical burns may cause arrhythmias, muscle necrosis (rhabdo) and internal injury; protocols include ECG, labs, and monitoring even when surface damage seems mild.

Difficulty: Medium Question 14 of 19

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When comparing thermal burns and electrical burns, one must remember that for electrical burns:

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