ARRT Patient Care Practice Exam

What characterizes a patient who is diaphoretic?

1. Pale, cool clammy skin

2. Hot, dry skin

3. Dilated pupils

4. Warm, moist skin

The correct answer is: Warm, moist skin

A patient who is diaphoretic exhibits warm, moist skin as a key characteristic. Diaphoresis refers to excessive sweating, which typically occurs as a response to factors such as stress, heat, or illness. The presence of moisture on the skin is a direct result of the body's physiological processes working to cool down through the evaporation of sweat, thus maintaining temperature regulation. Pale, cool clammy skin is more indicative of shock or severe distress, where the body is not able to maintain adequate blood circulation, leading to reduced blood flow to the skin. Hot, dry skin might suggest a heat stroke or hyperthermia, conditions that would not involve sweating. Dilated pupils can indicate various neurological or systemic responses but are not a defining feature of diaphoresis. Understanding these characteristics helps in accurately assessing a patient's condition.