What is a common characteristic of individuals experiencing heat stroke?

Individuals experiencing heat stroke typically exhibit warm, flushed skin as a defining characteristic. In heat stroke, the body's thermoregulatory mechanisms fail, leading to an inability to cool down despite high environmental temperatures. As a result, the skin becomes dry and flushed rather than sweaty, which contrasts with conditions like heat exhaustion where profuse sweating occurs. This warm and flushed appearance is coupled with elevated body temperature, often exceeding 104°F (40°C), and reflects the severity of the heat-related illness, indicating that the body is overwhelmed and cannot maintain normal thermal homeostasis.

In addition, other options highlight responses that do not align with the physiological changes seen in heat stroke. For instance, profuse sweating is more aligned with heat exhaustion rather than heat stroke. Normal body temperature would not be found in heat stroke, as the core temperature is significantly elevated. Cooled skin surface is also inconsistent with heat stroke since the skin is typically warm and dry due to the breakdown of normal sweating capabilities.