What term describes a drop in body temperature due to prolonged exposure to cold?

The term that describes a drop in body temperature due to prolonged exposure to cold is hypothermia. This condition occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, resulting in a dangerously low body temperature, typically below 95°F (35°C). Symptoms of hypothermia can include shivering, confusion, slow breathing, and fatigue.

Hyperthermia refers to an elevated body temperature often caused by prolonged exposure to heat or excessive exercise, which is the opposite of hypothermia. Frostbite specifically refers to damage to skin and underlying tissues due to freezing, often affecting extremities such as fingers and toes, but it does not encompass the overall drop in body temperature. Shock is a medical emergency that involves insufficient blood flow to the organs and can result from various causes, including severe injury or illness, but it is not exclusively related to temperature regulation.