Which is an early sign of hypothermia?

Which is an early sign of hypothermia?

• A. Shivering
• B. Warm flushed skin
• C. High energy
• D. Excessive sweating

Answer: (A)

Shivering is the body's first defense against cold, a rapid, involuntary muscle activity that generates heat to raise core temperature. When someone starts to get cold and the core temperature begins to fall, the nervous system triggers this shaking to produce warmth, so shivering is a common, early sign of hypothermia. The other possibilities don’t fit early hypothermia: warm, flushed skin suggests heat exposure or fever rather than cold stress; feeling unusually energetic isn’t typical as cold slows the body and energy tends to decrease; sweating usually points to heat illness or exertion, not hypothermia in a cold environment. If shivering stops as hypothermia progresses, that can indicate a more dangerous stage, so it’s important to seek appropriate care and begin warming measures.

Shivering is the body's first defense against cold, a rapid, involuntary muscle activity that generates heat to raise core temperature. When someone starts to get cold and the core temperature begins to fall, the nervous system triggers this shaking to produce warmth, so shivering is a common, early sign of hypothermia.

The other possibilities don’t fit early hypothermia: warm, flushed skin suggests heat exposure or fever rather than cold stress; feeling unusually energetic isn’t typical as cold slows the body and energy tends to decrease; sweating usually points to heat illness or exertion, not hypothermia in a cold environment. If shivering stops as hypothermia progresses, that can indicate a more dangerous stage, so it’s important to seek appropriate care and begin warming measures.