Hyperthermia is best defined as?

• A. Low body temperature
• B. Overheating with thermoregulation failure
• C. Normal body temperature
• D. Cold exposure causing frostbite

Answer: (B)

Hyperthermia is overheating due to the body's thermoregulation failing to dissipate heat. When heat production and environmental heat exposure push core temperature up, the cooling systems—like sweating and increased skin blood flow—may be overwhelmed or impaired, so temperature rises without a regulated change in the body's set point. This distinguishes it from a fever, which is a deliberate shift of the set point in response to illness. The other options describe low temperature, normal temperature, or cold injury, none of which capture the idea of heat overload from failed heat regulation.