Anesthesia Technologist Practice Exam

The severity of an electrical shock is determined by which factors?

1. The duration of flow and the voltage

2. The amount of current and the duration of flow

3. The resistance of the skin and the duration of exposure

4. The type of material conducting electricity and the amount of current

The correct answer is: The amount of current and the duration of flow

The severity of an electrical shock is primarily influenced by the amount of current that flows through the body and the duration of that flow. Current, measured in amperes, is the direct factor that affects how much energy is transferred in the event of a shock. Different levels of current can have varying physiological effects on the body; for instance, even a small amount of current (around 10 milliamperes) can cause a painful shock, while currents above 100 milliamperes can be fatal as they can induce ventricular fibrillation, which is a life-threatening heart rhythm. In addition to the amount of current, the duration of flow is crucial because longer exposure to electrical current increases the likelihood of injury or fatality. With prolonged exposure, the body has more time to absorb the energy, leading to greater thermal and muscular damage. This combination of current and time is essential in understanding the potential harm an electrical shock can cause. The other factors, such as skin resistance and the type of material conducting electricity, play roles in determining how much current actually passes through the body. However, without referring specifically to these aspects, the most significant determinants of the shock's severity are indeed the amount of current and the duration of flow.