Hypothermia is caused by exposure to cold that leads to a core body temperature dropping below which threshold?

• A. 104 degrees Fahrenheit
• B. 95 degrees Fahrenheit
• C. 86 degrees Fahrenheit
• D. 101 degrees Fahrenheit

Answer: (B)

Hypothermia is defined by the core body temperature dropping below a safe level, typically below 95°F (35°C). Normal core temperature sits around 98.6°F, and when cold exposure causes it to fall under 95°F, the body's ability to generate and conserve heat is overwhelmed. This can lead to slowed metabolism, impaired judgment, loss of coordination, and eventually life-threatening complications if it continues. The 95°F threshold is the standard cutoff used to diagnose hypothermia, which is why it’s the correct choice. The other temperatures listed correspond to fever or extreme cold, not the diagnostic threshold for hypothermia.