What might explain why a 62-year-old male in cardiac arrest after drowning does not have water in his lungs?

The scenario describes a situation in which a 62-year-old male who experienced a cardiac arrest after drowning does not have water in his lungs. In this context, laryngeal spasm is a key factor to consider. Laryngeal spasm can occur as a protective reflex when a person is submerged in water. The reflex triggers the muscles of the larynx to constrict, effectively closing off the airway and preventing water from entering the lungs.

This physiological response can happen rapidly upon inhalation of water, leading to a cessation of breathing and subsequently resulting in cardiac arrest. If the larynx is closed due to spasm, even though the individual may be submerged, it is possible for the lungs to remain dry as the water cannot enter.

Other options may relate to cardiac function or post-cardiac arrest considerations, but they do not play a critical role in explaining the absence of water in the lungs during the drowning incident. Therefore, the mechanism of laryngeal spasm effectively explains why, despite the drowning incident, the patient does not have water inhaled into the lungs at the time of resuscitation efforts.