How do vitals typically differ between hot skin hyperthermic and cool skin hyperthermic patients?

• A. There is no difference in pulse.
• B. Hot skin hyperthermic has a rapid full pulse; cool skin hyperthermic has a weak pulse
• C. Hot skin hyperthermic has a slow pulse; cool skin hyperthermic has a strong pulse
• D. Hot skin hyperthermic has a rapid full pulse; cool skin hyperthermic has a weak pulse

Answer: (D)

When the body is trying to cool itself, the skin becomes hot due to vasodilation, and the heart increases its rate to maintain perfusion. This often produces a rapid, full (bounding) pulse because cardiac output is elevated and blood is being delivered to the skin to dissipate heat.

If the patient has cool skin with hyperthermia, it usually indicates peripheral vasoconstriction and often reduced circulating volume or early shock. The heart may still race, but the pulse quality is weak and thready due to poor stroke volume and perfusion.

So, vital differences you’d expect are a rapid, strong pulse with hot skin, versus a weak pulse with cool skin.