A person with suspected heat stroke is hot, confused, and sweating heavily. What is the urgent action to instruct?

• A. Wait until the person stops sweating
• B. Give them water to drink only
• C. Move to shade, remove excess clothing, begin rapid cooling with cool water, and call EMS
• D. Apply blankets to warm them

Answer: (C)

When a person is suspected of heat stroke, the priority is immediate, rapid cooling and getting professional medical care. Heat stroke is life-threatening because the body's cooling system has failed and core temperature rises quickly, risking brain and organ damage.

Instruct to move the person to shade or a cooler environment and remove excess clothing to help heat escape from the skin. Begin rapid cooling with cool water—using a hose, immersion if feasible, or continuously applying cool, wet cloths or a spray to the skin, especially over large areas. The goal is to bring the core temperature down as fast as possible. While cooling is underway, call EMS so advanced care can arrive to monitor and support the patient, administer fluids if needed, and manage airway and complications.

Other options don’t fit because waiting for sweating to stop delays essential cooling; giving water alone doesn’t rapidly reduce core temperature and may be risky if confusion or vomiting occurs; and covering the person with blankets would trap heat and worsen the condition.