Which finding indicates heat exhaustion rather than heat stroke?

Which finding indicates heat exhaustion rather than heat stroke?

• A. Profuse sweating
• B. Hot, dry skin
• C. Core temperature above 104 F
• D. Decreased mental status

Answer: (A)

Differentiating heat-related illnesses comes down to how the body's cooling mechanism is functioning. In heat exhaustion, sweating is still active and the skin is often moist, reflecting ongoing evaporative cooling, though the person is volume-depleted and pattern of symptoms includes fatigue, dizziness, and tachycardia. A core temperature is not typically extremely high. In heat stroke, thermoregulation fails, sweating may stop, the skin becomes hot and dry, and the core temperature rises well above 104°F, with possible confusion or other mental-status changes. Because profuse sweating shows the body’s cooling system is still working, it points to heat exhaustion more than heat stroke. The other findings—hot, dry skin, very high core temperature, and decreased mental status—are more characteristic of heat stroke.