If a child shows signs of heat exhaustion, teachers should do all of the following except

• A. Have the child sit down and pinch the nose with a clean cloth
• B. Move the child to a cooler area
• C. Provide water or electrolyte drink
• D. Remove excess clothing

Answer: (A)

When a child shows signs of heat exhaustion, the focus is on cooling the body and restoring fluids. The quickest, most effective steps in a school setting are to move the child to a cooler area, loosen or remove excess clothing, and give sips of water or an electrolyte drink. These actions help lower body temperature and replace fluids lost through sweating, reducing the risk of the condition getting worse and helping the child recover more quickly.

Pinching the nose with a clean cloth is not part of heat exhaustion care. That technique is used for stopping nosebleeds, not for overheating, and it won’t address the child’s need to cool down or rehydrate. So this step isn’t appropriate in this situation, while the other measures directly support cooling and hydration. If symptoms persist or worsen, or if there are signs such as confusion, vomiting, or fainting, seek medical help promptly.