You and your partner are working a day shift. It is a sunny day, and the temperature is 95°F. You are dispatched to the town soccer field for an 85-year-old woman complaining of cramping to her fingers. The patient denies any other complaint of dizziness, nausea, or vomiting. The patient tells you it feels like her arthritis but much worse. Her vital signs are all within normal limits, and her skin is warm and moist. What is the MOST likely problem this patient is experiencing?
A) Heat stroke
B) Heat exhaustion
C) Heat cramps
D) Arthritis

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's complaint of cramping to her fingers, the absence of other symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, or vomiting, and normal vital signs with warm and moist skin indicate heat cramps rather than more serious conditions such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Arthritis may be a factor, but the patient's symptoms suggest a more acute issue related to the heat.

You and Your Partner Are Working a Day Shift