Which of the following is a hallmark feature of heat stroke?

• A. Decreased body temperature
• B. Hypotension
• C. High fever
• D. Profuse sweating

Answer: (C)

Heat stroke centers on extreme hyperthermia with impaired mental status. When the body's heat-regulation fails, core temperature rises well above normal—typically over 40°C—and neurologic symptoms such as confusion, agitation, or seizures develop. Among the options, a very high body temperature best reflects this dangerous overheating and the primary issue in heat stroke. Decreased body temperature would be hypothermia and doesn’t fit, profuse sweating is not consistently present in heat stroke and isn’t the defining feature, and hypotension can occur but isn’t the characteristic hallmark. Remember, the fever-like temperature in heat stroke isn’t due to infection, but to environmental heat and regulatory failure.