Final answer:
A patient who has become cold during transport is at higher risk for hypothermia during surgery, a condition whereby the body temperature drops to an abnormally low level, which can lead to complications.
Step-by-step explanation:
A patient who has become cold during transport is at higher risk for hypothermia during surgery. Hypothermia is a clinical term for an abnormally low body temperature, which can be a concern during medical procedures. Utilizing controlled hypothermia is a technique employed by medical professionals to reduce the metabolic rate of an organ or the body during surgeries such as open-heart surgeries. In these instances, the patient's body is cooled to specific temperatures to reduce the demand for oxygen and protect organs, and to prevent shivering, medication is administrated. However, if hypothermia is not controlled and occurs as a result of environmental exposure, as might happen during transport to a hospital, it can lead to potential complications, including during surgery.