Which of the following is a sign of heat exhaustion?

Which of the following is a sign of heat exhaustion?

• A. Loss of consciousness
• B. Pale skin
• C. Flushed skin
• D. Little sweating

Answer: (B)

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body's cooling mechanisms are stressed but not yet overwhelmed, and a common sign is pale, cool, moist skin from ongoing sweating. The pale appearance reflects reduced surface blood flow while the person is still sweating and trying to cool down, which fits this stage of heat-related illness. In contrast, loss of consciousness signals a much more serious problem like heat stroke; flushed skin points to overheating with vasodilation and can occur in heat stroke; little sweating suggests dehydration or a more severe illness where sweating has stopped. So pale skin during an active cooling effort is the best indicator of heat exhaustion among these options.

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body's cooling mechanisms are stressed but not yet overwhelmed, and a common sign is pale, cool, moist skin from ongoing sweating. The pale appearance reflects reduced surface blood flow while the person is still sweating and trying to cool down, which fits this stage of heat-related illness. In contrast, loss of consciousness signals a much more serious problem like heat stroke; flushed skin points to overheating with vasodilation and can occur in heat stroke; little sweating suggests dehydration or a more severe illness where sweating has stopped. So pale skin during an active cooling effort is the best indicator of heat exhaustion among these options.