Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA) Practice Exam

What is the highest body temperature indicative of hypothermia?

1. 34.5C (94.1F)

2. 35.9C (95.9F)

3. 37.6C (99.6F)

4. 38.5C (101.3F)

The correct answer is: 35.9C (95.9F)

Hypothermia is a medical condition characterized by an abnormally low body temperature, typically defined as less than 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). The key threshold for hypothermia is generally considered to be around 35 degrees Celsius, and temperatures above this level do not meet the clinical criteria for hypothermia. The correct answer reflects a body temperature of 35.9 degrees Celsius (95.9 degrees Fahrenheit), which is still above the hypothermic range but is the highest option provided that approaches clinical hypothermia. In clinical practice, temperatures at or below 35 degrees Celsius would warrant immediate medical attention to prevent complications associated with hypothermia. The other options indicate body temperatures that are within the normal to elevated range, which does not correlate with hypothermia. Therefore, while 35.9C is still considered significantly low and indicative of the potential onset of hypothermia, it does not cross the definitive threshold for the condition. This makes it the critical point in distinguishing hypothermia from normal or elevated temperatures.