Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

For electricity to flow through the body and cause injury, what must occur?

1. There must be an open circuit

2. There must be a complete circuit between the electrical source and the ground

3. There must be a charged object nearby

4. There must be contact with a transformer

The correct answer is: There must be a complete circuit between the electrical source and the ground

For electricity to flow through the body and cause injury, there must be a complete circuit between the electrical source and the ground. This means that the electrical current must have a pathway to travel through the body and return to the source, which is typically achieved when a person makes contact with an electrical source and another point of lower potential (often the ground). When a person touches an electrical source, the body can act as a conductor, allowing current to enter and exit through different points. This flow of electricity can disrupt normal physiological functions, leading to potential injuries such as burns, muscle contractions, and even cardiac arrest, depending on the amount of current and the path it takes through the body. This understanding emphasizes the importance of maintaining proper safety protocols around electrical systems. The other options do not provide the necessary conditions for current flow through the body. An open circuit would prevent electricity from flowing, a charged object nearby does not guarantee a pathway for current flow, and contact with a transformer alone does not ensure that a complete circuit is established.