A 37-Year-Old Man Is Found Unresponsive Under a Tree During

A 37-year-old man is found unresponsive under a tree during a thunderstorm.  He is not breathing when paramedics arrive on the scene.  On examination, his pupils are fixed and dilated.  Several cutaneous erythematous marks in a fern-leaf pattern are seen on his lower extremities.  Second-degree burns are present on both arms.  Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is started; however, the patient does not respond and is pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.  Which of the following is most likely to be the primary cause of his death?

A) Cardiac arrhythmia
B) Extensive deep-tissue burns
C) Intracranial hemorrhage
D) Myocardial contusion
E) Pulmonary barotrauma

Correct Answer:

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