heat exposure - signs and symptoms

Physical Assessment

If you suspect someone is experiencing an excessive exposure to hot temperatures, you’ll need to make a physical assessment– an examination of the patient from head to toe using eyes and hands to look and feel for signs of illness or injury.

Look and feel for the following:

There are on average 274 heat-related deaths in the United States each year, but the number is thought to be much higher.

• Heavy sweating
• Pale, cool, moist skin or very warm skin
• Hot, dry skin may indicate a critical emergency
• Weakness, exhaustion, dizziness
• Muscle cramps
• Diminishing level of responsiveness

Ask about the patient's level of activity leading up to the incident while obtaining the patient history

Next, assess patient history (information about the patient relating to the injury or illness) by asking the patient, and/or any bystanders, about the following:

• Exposure to a hot environment or environment with high humidity
• Level of exercise and activity in environment
• Other existing medical illnesses