In a patient with suspected heat stroke, you would expect?

• A. Sweating profusely
• B. Dry, hot skin and altered mental status
• C. Normal skin temperature
• D. Intentional fainting

Answer: (B)

Heat stroke is a medical emergency caused by the body's cooling mechanisms failing, leading to dangerously high core temperature and impaired mental status. In suspected heat stroke, the skin is typically hot and dry because sweating has stopped or is greatly reduced. The combination of very high body temperature with altered mental status (confusion, agitation, or even seizures) is the hallmark.

Sweating profusely would point to heat exhaustion or exertional heat illness, not heat stroke. Normal skin temperature would not fit the severe hyperthermia seen in heat stroke. Fainting is not the defining feature, whereas CNS impairment with dry, hot skin is.