Which sign is more characteristic of heat stroke than heat exhaustion?

Which sign is more characteristic of heat stroke than heat exhaustion?

• A. Pale skin
• B. Loss of consciousness
• C. Rapid pulse
• D. Faintness

Answer: (B)

Loss of consciousness is the best indicator here because heat stroke involves the brain being damaged by extreme body heat, leading to altered mental status, confusion, seizures, or unconsciousness. In heat exhaustion, people are usually still awake and may feel dizzy or faint, with pale, clammy skin and heavy sweating, and while the pulse can be rapid, there isn’t the level of CNS disturbance seen with heat stroke. Pale skin, a rapid pulse, and faintness can occur with heat exhaustion, but they are not as specific to heat stroke as losing consciousness. If someone becomes unconscious after heat exposure, treat it as a heat stroke: move them to a cooler place, remove excess clothing, begin cooling, and call emergency services.

Loss of consciousness is the best indicator here because heat stroke involves the brain being damaged by extreme body heat, leading to altered mental status, confusion, seizures, or unconsciousness. In heat exhaustion, people are usually still awake and may feel dizzy or faint, with pale, clammy skin and heavy sweating, and while the pulse can be rapid, there isn’t the level of CNS disturbance seen with heat stroke. Pale skin, a rapid pulse, and faintness can occur with heat exhaustion, but they are not as specific to heat stroke as losing consciousness. If someone becomes unconscious after heat exposure, treat it as a heat stroke: move them to a cooler place, remove excess clothing, begin cooling, and call emergency services.