Identify signs that indicate a firefighter needs immediate medical evaluation in rehab?

• A. Chest pain, confusion or altered mental status, fainting or near-fainting, vomiting, or persistent dizziness
• B. Mild fatigue after lunch and a slight headache
• C. Dry skin and normal vital signs
• D. Soreness in hands after donning gloves for extended periods

Answer: (A)

Immediate medical evaluation is needed when signs point to a potential acute problem during rehab. Chest pain could signal a heart attack or acute coronary event, and deserves urgent assessment and treatment. Confusion or altered mental status may indicate hypoxia, a head injury, dehydration, or a metabolic disturbance, all of which require prompt medical attention. Fainting or near-fainting shows that cerebral perfusion is being compromised and can precede a collapse, so it calls for immediate evaluation. Vomiting can accompany dehydration, heat illness, GI bleeding, or a CNS issue, and should be checked quickly. Persistent dizziness suggests ongoing instability that could worsen with continued exertion. These signs reflect acute deterioration rather than normal training responses. In contrast, mild fatigue after lunch with a slight headache is typically non-emergent, dry skin with normal vital signs indicates stable status, and soreness in the hands after extended glove use is an expected PPE-related effect and not an urgent medical red flag.