Which set of signs indicates heat stroke?

• A. Hot dry skin, rapid pulse, pupils constricted, elevated blood pressure & body temperature.
• B. Clammy skin, weak but rapid pulse, dilated pupils.
• C. Cold skin, slow pulse, normal blood pressure.
• D. Sweating profusely with low body temperature.

Answer: (A)

Heat stroke happens when the body’s cooling system fails and core temperature soars. The clearest warning signs are a very high body temperature with hot, dry skin, because sweating often stops in heat stroke. A rapid pulse is common as the body tries to cope with the extreme heat, reflecting the stress on the cardiovascular system. Elevated blood pressure can occur with this sympathetic response. This combination—extreme hyperthermia and hot, dry skin—distinguishes heat stroke from other heat-related problems like heat exhaustion, where the skin is typically moist and the temperature not as high. The other options describe signs more typical of shock, hypothermia, or overheating with sweating, which don’t match heat stroke. In practice, treat as an emergency: cool the person quickly and seek urgent medical help.