Free BCEN Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) Practice Question

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is essential for patients with electrical burns as the electrical current can cause cardiac arrhythmias, including ventricular fibrillation and acute myocardial infarction. Assessing the cardiac system promptly helps in early identification and treatment of any life-threatening arrhythmias. Measuring oxygen saturation is also important but is not specific to the unique complications electrical burns present. Similarly, estimating body surface area involvement and checking for circumferential burns are significant assessments but not the immediate first step.