Heat exhaustion is characterized by sweating and which skin/temperature finding?

• A. Moist skin, pale, and cool with normal temperature
• B. Dry skin, high fever
• C. Unconsciousness
• D. Severe heart palpitations only

Answer: (A)

The pattern being tested is the skin condition and body temperature characteristic of heat-related illness, specifically heat exhaustion. In heat exhaustion, sweating is still present, so the skin tends to be moist, pale, and cool to the touch, and the body temperature is usually normal or only mildly elevated. This is why describing moist skin, pale and cool, with a normal temperature fits heat exhaustion best.

The other options don’t fit because dry skin suggests dehydration without sweating, while a high fever points toward fever or heat stroke rather than heat exhaustion. Unconsciousness indicates a much more severe condition (often heat stroke), and severe heart palpitations alone don’t address the skin and temperature signs typical of heat exhaustion.