Which of the following are heat injuries?

• A. Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke
• B. Hyperthermia, heat rash, sunburn
• C. Heat syncope, heat rash, dehydration
• D. Frostbite, hypothermia, dehydration

Answer: (A)

Heat injuries are illnesses caused by overheating, ranging from muscle cramps to a life-threatening crisis. The set that lists heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke matches this progression exactly. Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms from sweating and electrolyte loss during heat exposure. Heat exhaustion comes from dehydration and overheating, presenting with weakness, dizziness, and nausea. Heat stroke is the most severe, with very high body temperature and altered mental status, requiring urgent cooling and medical care.

The other terms aren’t considered heat injuries in this context. Heat rash and sunburn are skin issues caused by heat or sun exposure, not the internal overheating injuries being described here. Heat syncope is fainting related to heat but is a symptom within the spectrum of heat illness rather than a distinct heat injury category on its own. Dehydration is a fluid deficit, not an injury by itself, and frostbite or hypothermia are cold injuries, not heat injuries.