A pre-hospital team encounters a 35-year-old male who has been playing football in extreme heat (35°C). He collapsed on the pitch and is now confused ...

Question

A pre-hospital team encounters a 35-year-old male who has been playing football in extreme heat (35°C). He collapsed on the pitch and is now confused with a core temperature of 39.8°C. He is sweating profusely. His blood pressure is 100/60 mmHg. Is this heatstroke or heat exhaustion?

Accepted Answer

Heat exhaustion - the presence of sweating and temperature below 40°C differentiates this from heatstroke; treatment involves removing from heat, cooling, and oral/IV rehydration

Answer

Malignant hyperthermia triggered by exercise

Answer

Neither - this is normal for exercise in hot weather

Answer

Heat syncope only - no treatment needed

Answer

Heatstroke - any elevated temperature during exercise is heatstroke

uk-dipimc MCQ (SBA): Heat Exhaustion vs Heatstroke

A pre-hospital team encounters a 35-year-old male who has been playing football in extreme heat (35°C). He collapsed on the pitch and is now confused with a core temperature of 39.8°C. He is sweating profusely. His blood pressure is 100/60 mmHg. Is this heatstroke or heat exhaustion?