Which description matches heat stroke?

• A. Prolonged exposure to hot conditions with body temperature around 104 F, flushed with hot, dry skin, and confusion
• B. Prolonged exposure to cold with shivering
• C. Mild fever with runny nose
• D. Allergic reaction

Answer: (A)

Heat stroke is a medical emergency where the body's cooling mechanism fails, causing a dangerously high core temperature. When the body temperature rises to about 104°F (40°C) or higher, a person often has hot, dry skin because sweating has stopped, along with confusion or other changes in mental status. That combination—very high temperature, dry skin, and altered consciousness—best fits heat stroke and sets it apart from other conditions.

Prolonged cold exposure with shivering points to hypothermia, not heat stroke. A mild fever with a runny nose suggests a viral infection. An allergic reaction involves symptoms like hives, swelling, or trouble breathing, not the hot, dry skin and mental confusion seen in heat stroke. If heat stroke is suspected, seek emergency help immediately, move the person to a cooler place, remove excess clothing, and begin cooling the body with cool water, fans, and, if available, ice packs to the neck, armpits, and groin while monitoring their condition.