How do you recognize signs of heat illness and what is the immediate response?

How do you recognize signs of heat illness and what is the immediate response?

• A. Nausea only; continue working.
• B. Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke; move to shade, remove excess clothing, hydrate, cool the body with water or fans, seek medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen.
• C. Dizziness while standing on a ladder; ignore.
• D. Coughing; take a nap.

Answer: (B)

Recognizing heat illness means noticing symptoms that range from cramps to a true emergency, and knowing how to respond immediately to prevent it from getting worse. Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms that happen during or after heavy sweating. Heat exhaustion shows up with heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, pale clammy skin, and a fast pulse. Heat stroke is a medical emergency, marked by a very high body temperature, confusion or unconsciousness, and hot, possibly dry skin. Immediate response is to move the person to shade or a cooler area, remove excess clothing, and encourage hydration if they can safely drink. Start cooling the body with cool water or circulating air from fans, and apply cool wet cloths or take a cool shower. For cramps, gently stretch and massage the affected muscles and provide fluids. For exhaustion, have the person rest, rehydrate, and continue cooling. If symptoms persist, worsen, or if heat stroke is suspected (confusion, unconsciousness, very high fever, altered mental status), seek medical help immediately and call emergency services.

Recognizing heat illness means noticing symptoms that range from cramps to a true emergency, and knowing how to respond immediately to prevent it from getting worse. Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms that happen during or after heavy sweating. Heat exhaustion shows up with heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, pale clammy skin, and a fast pulse. Heat stroke is a medical emergency, marked by a very high body temperature, confusion or unconsciousness, and hot, possibly dry skin.

Immediate response is to move the person to shade or a cooler area, remove excess clothing, and encourage hydration if they can safely drink. Start cooling the body with cool water or circulating air from fans, and apply cool wet cloths or take a cool shower. For cramps, gently stretch and massage the affected muscles and provide fluids. For exhaustion, have the person rest, rehydrate, and continue cooling. If symptoms persist, worsen, or if heat stroke is suspected (confusion, unconsciousness, very high fever, altered mental status), seek medical help immediately and call emergency services.