ATC Acute Care 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sign best distinguishes heat stroke from heat exhaustion?
- Profuse sweating
- Core temperature above 104°F (40°C) with central nervous system dysfunction (Correct answer)
- Muscle cramps
- Mild headache
Correct answer: Core temperature above 104°F (40°C) with central nervous system dysfunction
Heat stroke is defined by a rectal temperature exceeding 104°F and CNS dysfunction such as confusion, combativeness, or loss of consciousness.
Question 2: An athlete sustains a penetrating eye injury from a projectile. The athletic trainer should:
- Irrigate the eye with saline
- Apply pressure to stop bleeding
- Cover the eye with a rigid shield without pressing on it and refer immediately (Correct answer)
- Remove the object with tweezers
Correct answer: Cover the eye with a rigid shield without pressing on it and refer immediately
A penetrating eye injury requires a rigid protective shield placed over the eye without pressure, and immediate referral to ophthalmology to prevent further damage.
Question 3: What is the recommended method to cool an athlete with exertional heat stroke in the field?
- Fanning alone
- Cold-water immersion (tub or pool) targeting 38.3–39.4°C rectal temp (Correct answer)
- Placing ice bags only on the neck and groin
- Intravenous saline at room temperature
Correct answer: Cold-water immersion (tub or pool) targeting 38.3–39.4°C rectal temp
Cold-water immersion is the most effective field cooling method for exertional heat stroke and should target a safe rectal temperature before transport.
Question 4: When evaluating an unconscious athlete's breathing, you should check for no more than:
- 30 seconds
- 10 seconds (Correct answer)
- 2 minutes
- 5 seconds
Correct answer: 10 seconds
Current AHA guidelines recommend checking for breathing for no more than 10 seconds to minimize delay in initiating CPR if breathing is absent.
Question 5: An athlete with a suspected pneumothorax will most likely present with:
- Bilateral wheezing and chest tightness
- Unilateral decreased breath sounds, dyspnea, and tracheal deviation in tension cases (Correct answer)
- Productive cough with fever
- Bradycardia and hypertension
Correct answer: Unilateral decreased breath sounds, dyspnea, and tracheal deviation in tension cases
Pneumothorax presents with absent or decreased breath sounds on the affected side, dyspnea, and in tension pneumothorax, tracheal deviation away from the injury.
Question 6: Which statement about AED use in athletes is MOST accurate?
- AEDs should only be used by physicians
- AEDs can analyze and advise a shock for any arrhythmia
- AEDs should be applied as soon as possible in cardiac arrest, even with a pulse present
- AEDs should be applied as soon as possible in cardiac arrest; they will only advise shock if a shockable rhythm is detected (Correct answer)
Correct answer: AEDs should be applied as soon as possible in cardiac arrest; they will only advise shock if a shockable rhythm is detected
AEDs automatically analyze the cardiac rhythm and will only deliver a shock if a shockable rhythm (VF or pulseless VT) is detected, making them safe for lay rescuer use.
Question 7: Commotio cordis most commonly results from:
- Direct trauma to the sternum causing rib fractures
- A low-energy blow to the chest during a vulnerable phase of the cardiac cycle (Correct answer)
- Prolonged hyperthermia during competition
- Coronary artery blockage during exertion
Correct answer: A low-energy blow to the chest during a vulnerable phase of the cardiac cycle
Commotio cordis is caused by a blunt, non-penetrating blow to the precordium during the T-wave vulnerable period, triggering ventricular fibrillation.
ATC Acute Care 3
Which sign best distinguishes heat stroke from heat exhaustion?