Which is a sign of mild hypothermia?

• A. Fever
• B. Shivering in mild hypothermia
• C. Hyperventilation
• D. Flushed skin

Answer: (C)

Mild hypothermia triggers the body's primary heat-generating response: shivering. When the core temperature starts to drop (roughly 32–35°C), muscles contract rapidly to produce heat, and the person will typically begin to shake. This shivering is a hallmark sign because it directly reflects the body's attempt to restore temperature, and a patient who is cold and shaking is a classic presentation of mild hypothermia.

Fever would suggest infection rather than cold exposure, flushed skin points to heat exposure or vasodilation from warmth, and while the body may show increased respiratory rate under cold stress, hyperventilation is not a defining sign of mild hypothermia. The key clue you look for is the presence of shivering along with cold, clammy skin and possible coordination difficulties as temperature falls.