Which of the following statement(s) is/are true concerning hypothermia following traumatic injury?

a. The majority of patients presented to a level I trauma center are hypothermic at some time

b. The initial temperature for trauma-associated hypothermia is associated with no seasonal variation

d. The coagulation system is most affected in hypothermic patients who have sustained major trauma

Mild hypothermia is very common following traumatic injury and is considered a form of secondary accidental hypothermia. It has been reported that 57% of trauma patients admitted to a level I trauma center are hypothermic at some time, with temperature loss most significant in the Emergency Room. This effect appears to have no seasonal variation. Although the mortality rate for moderate (28°–32°C) degrees of primary accidental hypothermia is only approximately 21%, the same level of hypothermia in surgical patients who are victims of trauma can be associated with mortality rates approaching 100%. Hypothermia affects multiple systems, however, the system most affected in patients sustaining major trauma are those involved in clotting. This effect seems to involve both abnormalities in platelet and clotting function.