In which condition might a patient exhibit irregular heartbeats after a lightning strike?

In the context of a lightning strike, a patient exhibiting irregular heartbeats is most accurately associated with cardiac dysrhythmia. Lightning strikes can cause significant electrical disturbances in the body, leading to disruptions in the normal conduction pathways of the heart. This electrical injury can result in various types of arrhythmias, which may manifest as irregular heartbeats.

Cardiac dysrhythmia encompasses a range of conditions where the heart beats irregularly, too slowly, or too quickly, and is particularly relevant following traumatic electrical events like lightning strikes due to the alteration in cardiac electrical activity. The severity can vary from minor palpitations to life-threatening conditions, emphasizing the need for immediate medical evaluation and intervention.

Other options, while they may have some relevance in different contexts, do not specifically address the disruption in the heart's electrical system caused by a lightning strike in the same direct way.