What is NOT a symptom of heat stroke?

To determine which symptom is not associated with heat stroke, it's important to understand the characteristics of this condition. Heat stroke is a severe heat-related illness that occurs when the body temperature rises to dangerous levels, typically above 104°F (40°C).

Among the options provided, profuse sweating is generally not a symptom of heat stroke. In fact, as the body's temperature regulation fails, sweating diminishes significantly in heat stroke cases. This is contrary to heat exhaustion, where the body does sweat profusely.

In heat stroke, the other symptoms—such as rapid pulse, constricted pupils, and elevated temperature—are indeed typical. A rapid pulse occurs as the body attempts to compensate for overheating. Constricted pupils can happen due to the effects of overheating on the central nervous system. Elevated temperature is a defining characteristic of heat stroke, indicating that the body's temperature control is overwhelmed.

Understanding the physiological responses to heat and the progression to heat-related illnesses helps clarify why profuse sweating is not a symptom of heat stroke, further making it distinct from other heat-related conditions.