Question

What are the differences between mild and severe cases of hypothermia?

a) Affects on heart rate and blood pressure
b) Duration of exposure to cold temperatures
c) Severity of shivering and muscle stiffness
d) All of the above

Answer 1

Mild hypothermia has less severe effects on heart rate, blood pressure, shivering, and muscle stiffness compared to severe hypothermia. Duration of exposure to cold temperatures also differs between the two.

Step-by-step explanation:

Differences between mild and severe cases of hypothermia:

1. Affects on heart rate and blood pressure: In mild hypothermia, heart rate and blood pressure may be slightly elevated, while in severe hypothermia, heart rate and blood pressure decrease significantly.
2. Duration of exposure to cold temperatures: Mild hypothermia occurs with shorter exposure to cold temperatures, while severe hypothermia occurs with prolonged exposure.
3. Severity of shivering and muscle stiffness: In mild hypothermia, shivering and muscle stiffness may be present but less severe, while in severe hypothermia, shivering may stop and there can be profound muscle stiffness.

Controlled hypothermia is used in medical situations such as open-heart surgery to reduce the metabolic rate of the body and to minimize damage to organs by reducing their metabolic needs. Unlike pathological hypothermia, controlled hypothermia is carefully induced and managed in a clinical setting.