Which metabolic finding is commonly associated with hypothermia?

Which metabolic finding is commonly associated with hypothermia?

• A. Hyperthermia
• B. Hyperkalemia
• C. Hypoglycemia
• D. Hyponatremia

Answer: (C)

Hypothermia places a high energy demand on the body while also compromising glucose production, so blood glucose tends to drop. Cold exposure triggers shivering and other heat-generating processes that rapidly consume glucose. If exposure is prolonged, liver glycogen stores can deplete and gluconeogenesis can be impaired, making it hard to maintain normal glucose levels. This combination makes hypoglycemia a common metabolic finding in hypothermic patients, especially in children, malnourished individuals, or after extended exposure. While other changes like electrolyte shifts can occur, the most typical metabolic change you’ll see with hypothermia is low glucose.

Hypothermia places a high energy demand on the body while also compromising glucose production, so blood glucose tends to drop. Cold exposure triggers shivering and other heat-generating processes that rapidly consume glucose. If exposure is prolonged, liver glycogen stores can deplete and gluconeogenesis can be impaired, making it hard to maintain normal glucose levels. This combination makes hypoglycemia a common metabolic finding in hypothermic patients, especially in children, malnourished individuals, or after extended exposure. While other changes like electrolyte shifts can occur, the most typical metabolic change you’ll see with hypothermia is low glucose.