A 35-year-old male is lethargic and dehydrated after working at a construction site for 12 hours on a very hot day. You obtain the following vital signs: pulse 136, respirations 22, blood pressure 102/88, and SpO₂ 100% with supplemental oxygen. As a knowledgeable EMT, you would recognize:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The elevated heart rate is the body's response to increase cardiac output and deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the working muscles. In this case, the construction work caused the body to become dehydrated and the hot weather added to the stress on the body's cardiovascular system. The increased heart rate is an appropriate response to maintain perfusion to the body's tissues. None of the other choices accurately reflect the mechanism occurring in this scenario.

A 35-Year-Old Male Is Lethargic and Dehydrated After Working at a Construction