Which symptom is typical of heat exhaustion but not heat stroke?

• A. Dizziness
• B. Excessive sweating
• C. Confusion
• D. Skin is red hot dry

Answer: (B)

Excessive sweating reflects active cooling by evaporation, which is a hallmark of heat exhaustion. In heat exhaustion, the body's thermoregulatory system is still working, so you typically see profuse sweating along with fatigue, dizziness, and pale, cool skin. In heat stroke, thermoregulation fails and sweating often stops; the skin becomes hot and dry, and confusion or other mental-status changes are common. That’s why sweating is the symptom that fits heat exhaustion but not heat stroke. Dizziness can occur in both, confusion is more typical of heat stroke, and skin that’s hot and dry points to heat stroke rather than heat exhaustion.