What complication is associated with hypothermia?

Hypothermia is a condition characterized by a significant drop in body temperature, typically below 35°C (95°F). A key complication associated with hypothermia is the development of Osborn J waves, which can be observed on an electrocardiogram (ECG). These waves are indicative of cold exposure affecting cardiac function.

Furthermore, hypothermia can lead to various forms of dysrhythmias, which are irregular heartbeats that can become life-threatening due to the heart's altered electrical activity caused by the cold environment. As the body temperature decreases, the conduction system of the heart becomes slower, increasing the risk of both bradycardia (abnormally slow heart rate) and other serious arrhythmias.

The other options do not align with the typical complications seen in hypothermia. For example, increased body temperature and hyperthermic shock are conditions associated with overheating rather than cooling. Increased renal blood flow would not typically be a complication of hypothermia; rather, renal perfusion can be compromised during hypothermic states, as the body conserves heat and blood flow may be diverted from extremities and non-essential organs. Therefore, the association of Osborn J waves and dysrhythmias is the hallmark complication that emerges