Electrician's Licensing Practice Exam

What is the leading cause of death from electrical shock?

1. Cerebral edemas

2. Heart fibrillation

3. Cardiac arrest

4. Muscle spasms

The correct answer is: Heart fibrillation

The leading cause of death from electrical shock is heart fibrillation. This condition occurs when the electrical rhythms of the heart are disrupted by electrical currents, leading to an irregular heartbeat. In such a state, the heart effectively quivers instead of pumping blood, which can quickly lead to loss of consciousness, severe injury, or death if not promptly treated. Understanding the physiological effects of electrical shock is crucial for safety and prevention. While cardiac arrest can occur as a result of heart fibrillation, the immediate disruption of rhythm creates the potential for abrupt and fatal outcomes in a high proportion of cases involving electrical shocks. Additionally, though muscle spasms can occur during a shock, they do not pose the same life-threatening risk as the arrhythmias that can arise in response to an electrical current. Cerebral edemas, while a concern in other medical scenarios, do not typically account for the immediate fatality seen with electrical shocks.