Which action is crucial when treating a patient with electrical burns?

When treating a patient with electrical burns, monitoring for respiratory or cardiac arrest is crucial due to the potential impact of electrical injuries on the heart and respiratory system. Electricity can cause arrhythmias or even cardiac arrest as it disrupts the normal electrical signals of the heart. Additionally, high-voltage injuries can affect the airway and respiratory muscles, leading to respiratory failure.

Patients may also have internal injuries that are not immediately visible, which complicates their condition further. Therefore, assessing vital signs and being prepared for the possibility of resuscitation is essential in the management of these injuries.

Other actions, while important, do not address the most immediate life-threatening consequences of electrical injuries. For instance, splinting suspected injuries may be useful, but it doesn't prioritize the vital signs that indicate whether the patient is in severe distress or arrest. Similarly, applying topical ointments is not appropriate for electrical burns since the focus should be on stabilizing the patient. Lastly, giving the patient fluids orally is generally contraindicated in serious cases, especially if the patient's consciousness or airway is compromised. Thus, prioritizing monitoring for respiratory or cardiac arrest is critical in this scenario.