MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

What is one of the signs of heat exhaustion?

1. Hot, dry skin

2. Confusion

3. Nausea or vomiting

4. Loss of consciousness

The correct answer is: Nausea or vomiting

Nausea or vomiting is a recognized sign of heat exhaustion, which occurs when the body becomes unable to regulate its temperature due to excessive heat exposure. During heat exhaustion, the body experiences a loss of fluids and electrolytes, leading to gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and sometimes vomiting. This happens as the body struggles to cope with the elevated temperature and tries to expel the stressors causing distress. On the contrary, signs like hot, dry skin are more indicative of heat stroke, a more severe heat-related illness. While confusion can occur in cases of heat exhaustion, it is not as common as nausea and tends to be associated with more serious heat-related conditions. Loss of consciousness signifies a critical state and could imply heat stroke or another serious medical emergency. Therefore, nausea or vomiting is a specific and commonly recognized symptom tied directly to heat exhaustion.