Final answer:
Prolonged resuscitation efforts may be justified in cardiac arrest asystole cases involving victims of cold water drowning and electrocution, due to the potential for brain protection and the heart's electrical activity reset, respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of cardiac arrest presenting as asystole, two special resuscitation situations in which prolonged efforts may be justified include drowning, particularly in cold water, and cases of electrocution. For drowning victims, especially in cold temperatures, the brain can sometimes withstand longer periods without oxygen, as hypothermia can slow down metabolic processes and potentially protect the brain from damage. Immediate and prolonged CPR efforts can therefore lead to a full recovery if the victim's airway was protected by a laryngeal spasm that prevented water from entering the lungs.
In cases of electrocution, very large currents can cause the heart and respiratory system to briefly stop, but both may return to normal after the shock. This effectively 'resets' the heart's electrical activity, providing a unique opportunity for successful resuscitation if CPR and defibrillation are promptly initiated.