American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What are the temperature cutoffs for mild, moderate, and severe hypothermia?

1. 35-32, 32-28, 28

2. 40-38, 37-35, below 35

3. 36-34, 34-30, below 30

4. 38-36, 35-33, below 33

The correct answer is: 35-32, 32-28, 28

The classification of hypothermia is based on specific temperature thresholds. Mild hypothermia is generally defined as a body temperature between 32°C and 35°C. When the temperature drops below 32°C, this indicates a progression to moderate hypothermia, characterized by a temperature range of 28°C to 32°C. Severe hypothermia is identified when the body temperature falls below 28°C. The correct answer aligns accurately with these temperature ranges for hypothermia, making it the appropriate choice. Understanding these classifications is critical for effective diagnosis and management in clinical settings, as the level of hypothermia directly influences treatment approaches and urgency.