Question

Medical assistant is collecting data from a patient who is experiencing heatstroke. Which of the following manifestations should the assistant expect to find?

1) Increased body temperature
2) Hot and dry skin
3) Rapid heartbeat
4) Headache

Answer 1

A patient with heatstroke will commonly show signs of increased body temperature, hot and dry skin, rapid heartbeat, and headache. Recognizing these symptoms is crucial in providing timely medical intervention to prevent severe complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a medical assistant is collecting data from a patient experiencing heatstroke, they should expect to find several key manifestations. The manifestations include:

1. Increased body temperature (hyperthermia), which is a primary indicator of heatstroke.
2. Hot and dry skin, as sweating mechanisms often fail in heatstroke, leading to an inability to cool the body through evaporative cooling.
3. Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), since the body will attempt to circulate blood more quickly to dissipate heat.
4. Headache, which is a common symptom associated with heat-related illnesses.

Understanding the relationship between body temperature and cardiovascular function is essential in recognizing and treating heatstroke. Excessive hyperthermia can lead to life-threatening conditions, impacting the central nervous system and resulting in potential organ failure.