If a person comes into direct exposure with an electrical current, damage can occur to the skin and internal organs. Electrical shock takes place upon contact of a human body part with any source of electricity that causes a sufficient magnitude of current to pass through the victim's flesh, viscera, or hair. More intense currents may induce involuntary muscle contraction, preventing the victim from breaking free of the source electricity.
The range of motion is the measurement of the amount of movement around a specific joint or body part. Evaluation of the whole person is crucial beginning with heart functions, breathing, progressing to brain function, and extremity function.
The airway is not at any particular risk with this injury. Electric current travels through the body from the entrance site to the exit site and can seriously damage all tissues between the two sites. Early cardiac damage from electrical injury includes irregular heart rate, rhythm, and ECG changes.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application or higher
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: Client Needs Category: Safe, Effective Care Environment;