You respond to a construction site on a very hot summer day for a person "not acting right." You find a 44-year-old male patient seated in a work vehicle with the air conditioner on maximum.Coworkers state the patient was working for the last 2 hours pouring concrete when he started "speaking gibberish" and nearly collapsed.The patient is responsive to verbal stimuli.Your initial vital signs are blood pressure 90/60,pulse 136,and respiratory rate 24.The patient's skin is cool to the touch and dry,but his shirt is wet with visible salt rings.You suspect:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms are consistent with heat exhaustion, which can occur when working in hot and humid environments. The low blood pressure, high heart rate, and cool, dry skin are all signs of decreased blood volume due to dehydration. The visible salt rings on the patient's shirt indicate that he has been sweating heavily, leading to electrolyte imbalances. Treatment for heat exhaustion includes moving the patient to a cooler environment, providing fluids and electrolytes, and monitoring vital signs. Heat cramps and hypernatremia are both possible complications of heat exhaustion, but they are not the primary diagnosis in this scenario. Myocardial infarction is unlikely based on the patient's age and the absence of chest pain or other cardiac symptoms.

You Respond to a Construction Site on a Very Hot