Suspecting hypothermia in an elderly patient with lethargy, BP 90/60, pulse 48, and shallow respirations, estimate the core body temperature range.

Suspecting hypothermia in an elderly patient with lethargy, BP 90/60, pulse 48, and shallow respirations, estimate the core body temperature range.

• A. 85 to 88 F
• B. 89 to 92 F
• C. 93 to 96 F
• D. 97 to 100 F

Answer: (B)

When hypothermia is suspected, the core temperature helps determine how cold the patient is and guides treatment. In elderly patients, lethargy, low blood pressure, bradycardia, and shallow respirations are classic signs that can accompany hypothermia, and the core temperature is typically below normal. Mild hypothermia runs roughly from 32 to 35°C (about 89 to 95°F). The range around 89–92°F translates to about 32–33°C, which sits squarely in the hypothermic zone and aligns with a clinical picture of cooling without necessarily indicating the deepest levels of cold. That makes it the best estimate here. Warmer ranges would be near normal and wouldn’t explain the signs, while far colder ranges would imply more severe instability than is described.

When hypothermia is suspected, the core temperature helps determine how cold the patient is and guides treatment. In elderly patients, lethargy, low blood pressure, bradycardia, and shallow respirations are classic signs that can accompany hypothermia, and the core temperature is typically below normal. Mild hypothermia runs roughly from 32 to 35°C (about 89 to 95°F). The range around 89–92°F translates to about 32–33°C, which sits squarely in the hypothermic zone and aligns with a clinical picture of cooling without necessarily indicating the deepest levels of cold. That makes it the best estimate here. Warmer ranges would be near normal and wouldn’t explain the signs, while far colder ranges would imply more severe instability than is described.