Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

Which statement about electrical burns is correct?

1. They mostly affect the skin

2. Internal injury is usually more severe than external burns suggest

3. They cause immediate skin necrosis

4. They require immediate surgical intervention

The correct answer is: Internal injury is usually more severe than external burns suggest

The statement regarding electrical burns being more severe internally than what the external burns may indicate is accurate. Electrical burns can cause notable damage beyond the surface level, often leading to significant injury to deeper tissues that might not be immediately visible. This is because electrical currents can traverse through the body, affecting tissues such as muscles, nerves, and vascular structures, potentially resulting in internal injuries. Consequently, the external appearance might not fully reflect the degree of internal damage; for example, a person may have only superficial burns while sustaining serious underlying injuries. In relation to the other options, while skin may indeed be affected, electrical burns are not limited to the skin alone. The notion that electrical burns cause immediate skin necrosis can be misleading, as necrosis may develop over time depending on the severity and path of the current. Lastly, while some electrical burn cases may require surgical intervention, it is not universally applicable as a necessity for every patient, and management often depends on the extent of the injuries observed. Thus, the correct emphasis is on understanding the potentially severe and hidden internal injuries associated with electrical burns.