What is the second stage of hypothermia?

• A. Mild
• B. Moderate
• C. Severe
• D. Critical

Answer: (B)

Hypothermia progresses as the body's core temperature falls, moving from an early, milder stage to deeper levels. The second stage, moderate hypothermia, is when cooling has advanced beyond the initial shivering phase but is not yet life-threateningly deep. In this stage, shivering often diminishes or stops, and the person typically becomes sleepy or confused with slowed movements and reduced coordinated function. These changes reflect a deeper drop in core temperature and a shift toward impaired mental status and motor performance.

This stage matters clinically because it signals a need to step up rewarming and monitoring while avoiding rough handling or rapid, aggressive warming that could stress the heart. The more severe and critical levels come later if warming isn’t effective, but recognizing the moderate stage helps guide appropriate, gradual rewarming and safety measures.