What happens to a patient experiencing hypothermia when their body temperature drops to 80.0°F to 78.0°F?

When a patient experiences hypothermia and their body temperature drops to the range of 80.0°F to 78.0°F, significant physiological changes occur. At these temperatures, the body's normal metabolic functions are severely impaired. Consciousness is typically lost, and reflexes cease because the central nervous system becomes compromised. The brain’s ability to function declines as the cold affects neurological processes, leading to unresponsiveness. Such a state indicates critical hypothermia, where the body cannot maintain its vital functions effectively.

The other choices present scenarios that are not consistent with what happens at such low body temperatures. For instance, becoming highly responsive to spoken words is contradictory to the effects of extreme hypothermia. Similarly, exhibiting hyperthermia and increased motor activity implies a rise in body temperature and metabolic state, which is not the case in hypothermia. Lastly, coordination cannot improve in such conditions; rather, motor skills deteriorate as the body temperature drops, leading to confusion and eventual loss of consciousness. Hence, the correct answer reflects the typical progression of severe hypothermia.