Which condition is characterized by elevated core temperature?

Which condition is characterized by elevated core temperature?

• A. Hyperthermia
• B. Fever
• C. Heat Stroke
• D. Frostnip

Answer: (A)

Elevated core temperature from this scenario results from the body's heat-dissipation system being overwhelmed, so heat accumulates without a change in the brain’s thermostat. That is hyperthermia—the temperature rise is due to external heat or excessive heat production rather than a reset of the hypothalamic set-point. Fever, by contrast, involves the hypothalamus raising its set-point in response to infection or inflammation, leading to a temperature increase as the body lags to meet the new target. Heat stroke is a severe, dangerous form of hyperthermia with central nervous system dysfunction and organ injury, not just a mild rise in temperature. Frostnip is a cold injury and does not cause an overall rise in core temperature. So the condition characterized by elevated core temperature here is hyperthermia.

Elevated core temperature from this scenario results from the body's heat-dissipation system being overwhelmed, so heat accumulates without a change in the brain’s thermostat. That is hyperthermia—the temperature rise is due to external heat or excessive heat production rather than a reset of the hypothalamic set-point. Fever, by contrast, involves the hypothalamus raising its set-point in response to infection or inflammation, leading to a temperature increase as the body lags to meet the new target. Heat stroke is a severe, dangerous form of hyperthermia with central nervous system dysfunction and organ injury, not just a mild rise in temperature. Frostnip is a cold injury and does not cause an overall rise in core temperature. So the condition characterized by elevated core temperature here is hyperthermia.