Which of the following is a late-stage sign of hypothermia?

• A. High energy
• B. Normal pulse
• C. Loss of consciousness
• D. Warm skin

Answer: (C)

Late-stage hypothermia is marked by the brain being so cooled that the person becomes unresponsive. As core temperature drops, the body's protective responses slow down and eventually the mental status deteriorates from confusion and drowsiness to a loss of consciousness. That transition to unresponsiveness is what makes loss of consciousness the late-stage sign. The other options don’t fit the progression: high energy isn’t expected as someone cools; the pulse tends to slow or become irregular rather than staying normal; and warm skin is not typical when someone is genuinely hypothermic—the skin is usually cold or cool. If you encounter someone unconscious from suspected hypothermia, treat it as an emergency: move to warmth, remove wet clothing, insulate, monitor breathing and pulse, and call for help; if trained and there’s no pulse, begin CPR.