Which of the following is not a sign of heat exhaustion?

Answer: C — High blood pressure

Heat exhaustion is a serious condition that occurs when the body becomes overly heated, often due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures or strenuous physical activity in hot weather. It typically presents with a variety of symptoms as the body struggles to regulate its temperature. The presence of nausea, rapid and weak heartbeat, and cool, moist, pale skin are all common signs of heat exhaustion. Nausea can occur as the body's systems become stressed due to overheating. A rapid yet weak heartbeat often indicates that the heart is working harder to cool down the body. Cool, moist, and pale skin reflects that in an attempt to cool down, the body may redirect blood flow to the skin surface, where it can release more heat through perspiration. In contrast, high blood pressure is not typical in heat exhaustion. During such episodes, the body's response often involves vasodilation—widening of the blood vessels—which can lead to a drop in blood pressure rather than an increase. Therefore, identifying high blood pressure as a sign aligns it incorrectly with the symptoms of heat exhaustion, making it the correct choice for this question.