Which set of signs indicates heat exhaustion?

• A. Clammy/pale skin, weak but rapid pulse, pupils dilated, normal blood pressure & body temperature.
• B. Hot dry skin, rapid pulse, pupils constricted, elevated blood pressure & body temperature.
• C. Sweaty skin, slow pulse, normal temperature.
• D. Mottled skin, irregular pulse, low blood pressure.

Answer: (A)

Heat exhaustion shows up as fluid loss from sweating without the extreme overheating of heat stroke. The signs reflect that sweating is still happening, but the body isn’t reaching a dangerous core temperature yet. Cool, moist (clammy) skin is typical, not hot and dry. The heart rate tends to be fast because of dehydration, yet the pulse can feel weak as circulating volume drops. Pupils may be dilated from the body’s stress response, and blood pressure remains normal since shock hasn’t set in and the core temperature is not elevated. In short, a combination of cool, clammy skin, a fast but weak pulse, dilated pupils, and normal blood pressure and temperature fits heat exhaustion, whereas hot skin with a high temperature points to heat stroke, and other signs like slow pulse or low blood pressure would imply different conditions such as dehydration without heat illness progression or shock.