Which statement regarding lightning-related injuries is correct?

The statement indicating that the cardiovascular and nervous systems are most commonly injured during a lightning strike is accurate because lightning causes a rapid and powerful discharge of electrical energy that affects the body upon contact. When someone is struck by lightning, the electrical current can disrupt normal heart rhythms, leading to cardiac arrest, while also impacting the central nervous system, which can result in neurological deficits, confusion, or loss of consciousness.

The cardiovascular system is particularly vulnerable because the electrical shock can lead to arrhythmias or other cardiac complications. Similarly, the nervous system can suffer severe damage, affecting motor functions and cognitive processes. Understanding these primary injury patterns is essential for medical professionals to provide appropriate intervention and support to lightning strike victims.

Other options reflect misconceptions about lightning injuries. For instance, while burns can occur, full-thickness burns are not the most common injury; they typically result from prolonged contact with a heat source rather than a brief electrical discharge. Additionally, fatalities from lightning are often not exclusively due to fractures, making that statement misleading. Lastly, it's important to recognize that while CPR can increase survival chances in many situations, the immediate impact of a lightning strike poses significant challenges.