What is a recommended management step for suspected heat stroke in children?

• A. Rapid cooling (cooling the skin with wet towels or cool packs), remove excess clothing, and provide hydration if the child is conscious and able to drink.
• B. Administer antipyretics and gradual cooling.
• C. Place child in ice water bath only.
• D. Elevate legs and provide only oral fluids.

Answer: (A)

Heat stroke is an emergency where the body’s cooling system fails and core temperature climbs rapidly. The priority is to lower that core temperature as quickly as possible. Cooling the skin with wet towels or cool packs, removing excess clothing, and allowing hydration if the child is conscious and able to drink directly address rapid cooling while preventing dehydration. Antipyretics won’t help here because heat stroke isn’t a fever-driven problem; they don’t reduce the high core temperature. An ice-water bath is a more aggressive option that isn’t always suitable for children and isn’t necessary when you can achieve rapid surface cooling with simpler methods. Simply elevating the legs and giving only oral fluids won’t actively lower the core temperature and may delay urgent cooling. If the child can’t drink or is impaired, seek immediate medical care and consider IV fluids as appropriate.