During an assessment of a client exposed to cold temperatures, which finding would the nurse recognize as an early manifestation of hypothermia?

Rationale: A. Bradycardia is typically a later sign of moderate to severe hypothermia, as the body’s core temperature drops significantly. Early hypothermia usually triggers compensatory mechanisms rather than slowing the heart rate. B. Altered mental status occurs later in hypothermia when core body temperature falls substantially. Early stages are usually accompanied by alertness, as the body attempts to generate heat. C. Shivering is the primary early physiological response to cold exposure. It is the body’s mechanism to generate heat through involuntary muscle activity and typically occurs when core body temperature begins to drop slightly below normal (mild hypothermia, 35–36°C or 95–96.8°F). Shivering is an important warning sign that the body is losing heat and compensating to maintain homeostasis. D. Hypotension is a later manifestation of hypothermia due to cardiovascular depression and vasoconstriction failure. Early hypothermia usually presents with peripheral vasoconstriction, not low blood pressure.