A medical assistant observing a patient with heatstroke should expect to see what manifestation?

In cases of heatstroke, the body's temperature regulation is severely compromised, and as a result, the skin will typically be hot to the touch. This happens because the body's core temperature rises due to excessive heat exposure, overwhelming the body's ability to cool itself through sweating.

Unlike cold, clammy, or pale skin—which may be signs of other conditions such as shock or hypothermia—hot skin is a hallmark symptom of heatstroke. A patient experiencing heatstroke may also exhibit other symptoms such as confusion, rapid heart rate, and metabolic disturbances, but the hot skin remains a key indicator of this life-threatening condition.

Understanding these manifestations is crucial for medical assistants, as immediate recognition can enable prompt intervention to prevent serious complications associated with heat-related illnesses.