Which of the following is a distinguishing criterion of heat stroke compared to heat exhaustion?

Which of the following is a distinguishing criterion of heat stroke compared to heat exhaustion?

• A. Body temperature higher than 105 degrees
• B. Body temperature around 104 degrees
• C. Move to shady place to cool down
• D. Paleness and moist skin

Answer: (A)

Heat stroke is defined by an extreme rise in core body temperature, typically above 105°F (40.6°C), often accompanied by altered mental status or other signs of brain dysfunction. That level of hyperthermia signals a medical emergency and clearly sets heat stroke apart from heat exhaustion. In heat exhaustion, the temperature is usually elevated but not to that extreme, and the person often remains alert, with symptoms like dizziness, weakness, and sweating. The other cues—cool or shade cooling steps, or skin that is pale and moist—are common in heat exhaustion and first aid responses but don’t define heat stroke. So the distinguishing criterion is the very high core temperature, above 105°F.

Heat stroke is defined by an extreme rise in core body temperature, typically above 105°F (40.6°C), often accompanied by altered mental status or other signs of brain dysfunction. That level of hyperthermia signals a medical emergency and clearly sets heat stroke apart from heat exhaustion. In heat exhaustion, the temperature is usually elevated but not to that extreme, and the person often remains alert, with symptoms like dizziness, weakness, and sweating. The other cues—cool or shade cooling steps, or skin that is pale and moist—are common in heat exhaustion and first aid responses but don’t define heat stroke. So the distinguishing criterion is the very high core temperature, above 105°F.