Heat stroke may progress from which earlier heat injuries?

• A. Heat cramps and heat exhaustion
• B. Heat syncope and heat cramps
• C. Heat stroke only
• D. Frostbite

Answer: (A)

Heat illness moves along a progression from milder to more severe conditions as dehydration, electrolyte loss, and core temperature rise accumulate. Heat cramps and heat exhaustion are early heat injuries that reflect these disturbances. If exposure continues or cooling and rehydration aren’t provided, the body’s thermoregulation fails further and heat stroke can develop, presenting with central nervous system dysfunction and potential organ damage. Frostbite is unrelated, and while fainting from heat (heat syncope) can occur during heat exposure, it isn’t the typical direct precursor to heat stroke. So heat stroke may progress from heat cramps or heat exhaustion.