Which of the following is a sign of heat exhaustion?

Which of the following is a sign of heat exhaustion?

• A. Moist, pale-normal to cool skin
• B. Hot, dry skin
• C. Seizures
• D. Severe confusion

Answer: (A)

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body's cooling mechanisms are still working, so sweating continues and the skin typically stays moist and can feel cool or pale. This moist skin signals that cooling is still effective, which helps distinguish it from heat stroke, where thermoregulation fails and the skin becomes hot and dry. Seizures or severe confusion are more characteristic of heat stroke or serious electrolyte issues, not heat exhaustion. So the sign that best fits heat exhaustion is skin that remains moist and cool or pale.

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body's cooling mechanisms are still working, so sweating continues and the skin typically stays moist and can feel cool or pale. This moist skin signals that cooling is still effective, which helps distinguish it from heat stroke, where thermoregulation fails and the skin becomes hot and dry. Seizures or severe confusion are more characteristic of heat stroke or serious electrolyte issues, not heat exhaustion. So the sign that best fits heat exhaustion is skin that remains moist and cool or pale.