Diaphoresis is characterized by which of the following?

Diaphoresis is characterized by excessive sweating, particularly when it occurs in response to stress, illness, or as a side effect of medication. When a person is in this state, the skin often becomes pale and moist due to the increased production of sweat. This moisture is a result of the body's efforts to regulate temperature or respond to underlying medical conditions, leading to an appearance that might typically be described as cool and clammy.

In contrast, warm, dry skin would not indicate diaphoresis, as this condition involves moisture on the skin's surface. A high fever itself might contribute to diaphoresis, but it is not a defining characteristic of the condition; rather, it is just a potential cause. Similarly, a rapid pulse can occur for various reasons, including anxiety or fever, but again does not directly describe diaphoresis. Thus, the description of skin being pale and moist most accurately captures the essence of diaphoresis.