In early-stage hypothermia, which signs are typical compared to late-stage?

• A. Early: sweating; Late: shivering
• B. Early: fever; Late: hyperthermia
• C. Early: hyperactivity; Late: lethargy
• D. Early: shivering with rapid breathing and pulse; Late: muscle rigidity and slow to absent breathing

Answer: (D)

In hypothermia, the body’s response to cold changes as temperature falls. Early on, the body still tries to generate heat, so shivering is common, and the heart and lungs often work harder, leading to a faster pulse and faster breathing. As冷 temperatures drop further and the body’s energy stores become depleted, shivering can stop, muscles may become rigid, and mental status declines. Breathing slows and can become slow to absent in late stages. That’s why the best choice describes early signs as shivering with rapid breathing and a rapid pulse, and late signs as muscle rigidity with slow to absent breathing. The other options don’t reflect how the body’s signs progress in cold exposure—for example, sweating or fever aren’t typical early hypothermia signs, and hyperactivity isn’t characteristic of the deterioration seen as hypothermia worsens.