Signs of late heat stroke include:

• A. a weak, rapid pulse
• B. a strong bounding pulse
• C. normal pulse with agitation
• D. rapid, bounding pulse with warm skin

Answer: (A)

In late heat stroke, the body’s ability to maintain circulation has begun to fail, leading to shock. The heart speeds up to compensate, but the amount of blood pumped drops, so the pulse becomes fast and weak. This weak, rapid pulse is a sign that perfusion to vital organs is deteriorating, which is a hallmark of the late, more dangerous stage.

A strong bounding pulse suggests a remaining high-output, hyperdynamic state rather than established shock. A normal pulse with agitation could occur earlier before shock sets in. A rapid, bounding pulse with warm skin fits a hyperdynamic phase with vasodilation rather than the late shock picture. So the weak, rapid pulse best reflects the late-stage process.