Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN) Practice Exam

What physiological response do patients with multiple system atrophy lack, increasing their risk for heat stroke?

1. They fail to sweat

2. They have increased metabolism

3. They experience frequent dehydration

4. They struggle with thermoregulation

The correct answer is: They fail to sweat

Patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA) often experience autonomic dysfunction, particularly affecting their ability to regulate temperature through sweating. The lack of sweating is a significant physiological response that compromises their body's natural cooling mechanism, which is critical for thermoregulation. When the body temperature rises, sweating ordinarily helps cool the body by evaporative heat loss. In the case of individuals with MSA, this inability to sweat leads to an increased risk of overheating, or heat stroke, particularly in warm environments or during exertion. Consequently, the absence of this response makes it particularly challenging for these patients to maintain a stable body temperature, putting them at greater risk for heat-related illnesses compared to individuals with normal autonomic function. In contrast, while increased metabolism, dehydration, and struggles with thermoregulation can affect other aspects of health, they do not specifically denote the fundamental issue of sweating that distinctly heightens the risk for heat stroke in patients with MSA.