How does body temperature relate to blood clotting, heart rate, respiratory rate, drug metabolism, wound healing, and wound infections?

• A. Wound healing is unaffected by temperature
• B. Drug metabolism remains unchanged by temperature
• C. All function better under normal body temperature
• D. Heart rate and respiratory rate deteriorate with higher temperature

Answer: (C)

Temperature drives the speed of many bodily reactions and the performance of proteins and cells. When core temperature stays near normal, enzymes and systems involved in blood clotting, heart function, breathing, drug breakdown, and wound healing operate at their most efficient pace. Deviations from this temperature can slow or disrupt these processes: hypothermia slows coagulation and metabolism and can dull heart and respiratory responses; fever or hyperthermia can push the heart and lungs harder, alter how drugs are cleared, and affect tissue repair and immune function. Because these processes generally work best at the body's normal temperature, the idea that all function better under normal body temperature reflects the overall pattern across these systems.