MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

Which symptom is associated with heat stroke?

1. Mild sweating

2. Cold, clammy skin

3. Rapid, strong pulse

4. Hot, red, dry skin

The correct answer is: Hot, red, dry skin

Heat stroke is a severe heat-related illness that occurs when the body's temperature regulation fails and the body's temperature rises dangerously high, often exceeding 104°F (40°C). One of the hallmark symptoms of heat stroke is hot, red, dry skin. This occurs because the body's ability to sweat is compromised. In typical heat exhaustion, a person may sweat profusely, helping to cool the body down, but in heat stroke, the sweating mechanism fails. The skin becomes hot to the touch, indicating that the body is unable to dissipate heat effectively. The presence of a rapid, strong pulse is common in heat stroke and indicates that the heart is working hard to maintain blood circulation in response to the increased body temperature. However, the significant symptom that distinguishes heat stroke from other heat-related conditions is indeed the hot, red, dry skin. Mild sweating and cold, clammy skin are associated with heat exhaustion but not with heat stroke, where sweating is often absent.