Which term describes a body temperature greatly above normal?

• A. Hypothermia
• B. Hyperthermia
• C. Fever
• D. Normothermia

Answer: (B)

Understanding how body temperature categories work helps you pick the right term. When the body's heat production or external heat exceeds its ability to cool, the result is an elevated temperature known as hyperthermia. This term captures a temperature rise that goes well beyond the normal range, regardless of the cause. Fever, by contrast, is a rise in temperature that the body actively regulates through the hypothalamus in response to infection or inflammation, not simply an uncontrolled rise. Normothermia means a normal temperature, and hypothermia means below normal. So, for a temperature greatly above normal, hyperthermia is the best fit.