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    Med surg 2 proctored examQuestion 10
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    Med surg 2 proctored exam
    Select All That Apply

    A 65 year old male patient has experienced full-thickness electrical burns on the legs and arms. As the nurse you know this patient is at risk for the following: Select all that apply:

    Explanation & Rationale

    A. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of electrical burns due to myoglobin release from muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis). Myoglobin can accumulate in the kidneys, causing renal tubular obstruction and acute tubular necrosis. B. Dysrhythmias can occur because electrical currents pass through the body and disrupt cardiac conduction, leading to arrhythmias, which may be life-threatening. Continuous cardiac monitoring is essential. C. The iceberg effect refers to the fact that electrical burns often cause deeper tissue injury than is visible on the skin, including muscle, nerve, and bone damage beneath the surface. This hidden injury can lead to complications such as compartment syndrome and rhabdomyolysis. D. Hypernatremia is not a primary risk in electrical burns. Electrolyte imbalances are more commonly hyponatremia or hyperkalemia, especially during fluid shifts and muscle breakdown. E. Bone fractures may occur if the patient experienced violent muscle contractions during the electrical shock. Electrical currents can cause severe tetanic muscle contractions, which can lead to fractures, especially in older adults with decreased bone density. F. Fluid volume overload is not typically a risk immediately after electrical burns. The initial concern is hypovolemia from fluid loss due to capillary leak and tissue injury, requiring aggressive fluid resuscitation. Overload may occur later if fluids are over-administered, but it is not an inherent risk of the burn itself.

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