What are the clinical features of Acute Mountain Sickness and recommended treatment?

• A. Headache, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness after rapid ascent; rest and hydration.
• B. Headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness after rapid ascent; rest, analgesia, hydration.
• C. Headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness after rapid ascent; rest, hydration, and immediate ascent.
• D. Headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness after rapid ascent; rest, analgesia, hydration, and descent if symptoms persist or worsen.

Answer: (D)

Acute Mountain Sickness happens after a rapid ascent to higher altitude and presents with headache, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness. The best way to manage it is to keep the person at rest, ensure they are well hydrated, and use appropriate analgesia to relieve the headache. Importantly, if symptoms persist or worsen, the safest step is to descend to a lower altitude, which addresses the underlying hypoxia driving the symptoms. Immediate ascent is not advised, and while staying hydrated and comfortable is helpful, the critical action is descent if symptoms do not improve.