TL;DR
Heat Emergencies: Heat cramps, heat exhaustion (cool/moist skin, normal/low BP), and heat stroke (hot/dry skin, altered mental status).
By Valenke Exam Prep Team·Last updated 2026-06-02
Heat Emergencies
Definition
Heat cramps, heat exhaustion (cool/moist skin, normal/low BP), and heat stroke (hot/dry skin, altered mental status).
Assessment Techniques
Assessment techniques for heat emergencies:
- Trauma Score
- Components: GCS, Systolic BP, Respiratory rate. Scoring: Revised Trauma Score: coded values 0-4, sum correlates with survival probability
- Glasgow Coma Scale
- Components: Eye opening (1-4), Verbal response (1-5), Motor response (1-6). Scoring: 3-15, 8 or less = severe, 9-12 = moderate, 13-15 = mild
- Cincinnati Stroke Scale
- Components: Facial droop, Arm drift, Speech abnormality. Scoring: Any 1 positive = 72% probability of stroke
Key Values & Ranges
Key values and ranges relevant to heat emergencies in prehospital care:
| Parameter | Adult | Pediatric |
|---|---|---|
| SpO2 | 95-100% | 95-100% |
| temperature | 97.8-99.1 F (36.5-37.3 C) | same range, rectal preferred under 2yo |
| ETCO2 | 35-45 mmHg | 35-45 mmHg |
| GCS | 15 is normal, under 8 = severe TBI | modified pediatric GCS for preverbal |
| blood glucose | 70-140 mg/dL | 60-100 mg/dL (neonates lower) |
Common Errors
Critical errors in prehospital application of heat emergencies:
- Failing to reassess after intervention. Vital signs must be rechecked every 5 minutes for unstable patients
- Incorrect medication dosing. Always use length-based estimation (Broselow tape) for pediatric patients
- Tunnel vision on one finding while missing the complete clinical picture
- Not communicating changes to receiving facility during transport
Related Procedures
Procedures related to heat emergencies in the EMS setting:
- Sepsis recognition: qSOFA of 2 or more (altered mentation, RR 22+, SBP 100 or less) then IV fluids 20 mL/kg then early antibiotics if ALS
- Spinal motion restriction: mechanism + neuro deficit or midline tenderness = full SMR with C-collar and long board
- STEMI protocol: 12-lead ECG within 10 min then aspirin 324mg then NTG if SBP >90 then notify cath lab then transport code 3
Why It Matters
Differentiating heat exhaustion from heat stroke tested on EMT exam.
Related Terms
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What vital signs should be monitored when assessing heat emergencies?▼
For heat emergencies: GCS: 15 is normal, under 8 = severe TBI. respiratory rate: 12-20 breaths/min. temperature: 97.8-99.1 F (36.5-37.3 C). Reassess every 5 minutes for unstable patients.
What protocol applies to heat emergencies in prehospital care?▼
For heat emergencies: Trauma assessment: scene safety then MOI then primary survey (XABCDE) then rapid transport then secondary survey en route
What assessment tools help evaluate heat emergencies?▼
For heat emergencies: Glasgow Coma Scale: evaluates Eye opening (1-4), Verbal response (1-5), Motor response (1-6); scoring is 3-15, 8 or less = severe, 9-12 = moderate, 13-15 = mild. APGAR: evaluates Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration; scoring is 0-10 at 1 and 5 minutes, under 7 needs intervention.