Heat stroke is associated with which symptom?

• A. Muscle cramps in legs and abdomen
• B. Hot, dry, red skin
• C. Heightened state of unconsciousness
• D. Cool, moist skin

Answer: (B)

Heat stroke is a severe overheating condition where the body’s ability to regulate temperature fails. The defining sign is hot, dry, red skin because sweating has often stopped as the body overheats. That dryness reflects the loss of the body's ability to cool itself. In heat stroke, brain function can be affected, leading to confusion, seizures, or unconsciousness, which makes it a medical emergency.

Other heat illness signs point in different directions: muscle cramps occur with heat cramps, typically during exertion; heat exhaustion more commonly presents with cool, moist skin and dizziness or weakness. While unconsciousness can occur in severe heat stroke, the characteristic skin presentation of hot and dry is the best indicator that this is heat stroke rather than other heat-related conditions.