Final answer:
After calling 911, the treatment for exertion heat stroke should focus on rapidly lowering the body temperature, including moving the patient to a cooler environment, removing excess clothing, applying cool water and ice packs, and providing hydration if they can safely swallow.
Step-by-step explanation:
Proper Treatment for Exertion Heat Stroke After Calling 911
After calling 911, the appropriate treatment for exertion heat stroke includes immediate action to lower the person's body temperature. Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia, an elevated body temperature that significantly surpasses the body's thermoregulatory set-point. Symptoms may include confusion, agitation, disorientation, the absence of sweating, and an eventual loss of consciousness or coma.
- Move the person to a shaded or air-conditioned area to start cooling.
- Remove excess clothing to promote heat loss through the skin.
- Apply cool water to the skin and fan the person to promote sweating and evaporation.
- Apply ice packs to the person’s armpits, neck, and back, as these areas are rich with blood vessels close to the skin, aiding in reducing body temperature.
- If the person is conscious and able to swallow, provide them water or sports drinks to help rehydrate.
Avoid giving medications that may interfere with cooling efforts. Continuously monitor the person's condition until emergency medical services arrive. Quick recognition and rapid cooling within the initial minutes to hours post onset are critical for the person's survival and recovery.