The client comes to the emergency department after having been in the

The client comes to the emergency department after having been in the sun for an extended pe-riod of time. The nurse also determines that the client is taking a diuretic. Heatstroke is suspected and the nurse observes for:

1. Diaphoresis
2. Confusion
3. Temperature of 36 C
4. Decreased heart rate

ANSWER

ANS: 2
Confusion is a symptom of heatstroke, along with delirium, nausea, muscle cramps, visual dis-turbances, and even incontinence. The most important sign of heatstroke is hot, dry skin, not di-aphoresis. Victims of heatstroke do not sweat because of severe electrolyte loss and hypothalam-ic malfunction. A normal temperature is 36 to 38 C. With heatstroke the client’s body temper-ature may reach as high as 45C. The heart rate is increased with heatstroke, not decreased.