Physical Therapy Assistant Practice Exam

What term refers to profuse sweating, often associated with emergent medical conditions?

1. Diaphoresis

2. Cor pulmonale

3. Fatigue

4. Cyanosis

The correct answer is: Diaphoresis

The term that refers to profuse sweating, particularly when tied to emergent medical conditions, is diaphoresis. This condition often indicates the body's response to stress, overheating, or significant medical issues such as heart attacks or infections. Diaphoresis plays a critical role as a physiological response, helping to regulate body temperature while also serving as a potential sign of underlying health problems. In medical practice, recognizing diaphoresis is important because it can prompt further assessment and intervention in urgent situations. For instance, if a patient presents with excessive sweating along with other symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath, it may indicate a serious cardiovascular event and necessitate immediate care. The other terms provided do not relate specifically to sweating. Cor pulmonale refers to right heart failure resulting from chronic lung disease, fatigue describes a state of physical or mental weariness, and cyanosis relates to a bluish discoloration of the skin due to insufficient oxygenation, none of which directly correlate with profuse sweating.