ATC Therapeutic Intervention & Health Care Administration 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which cryotherapy application is MOST appropriate for reducing acute post-exercise inflammation in a large muscle group like the quadriceps?
- Ice massage for 5 minutes
- Ice pack for 20 minutes with a damp towel barrier (Correct answer)
- Vapocoolant spray only
- Cold water immersion at 50°F for 60 seconds
Correct answer: Ice pack for 20 minutes with a damp towel barrier
An ice pack applied for 20 minutes with a barrier is the standard cryotherapy protocol for large superficial muscle groups to achieve adequate tissue cooling without frostbite.
Question 2: A pitcher returns to throwing after a UCL repair. The AT places them on an interval throwing program. What is the PRIMARY purpose of this graduated progression?
- Maximize arm strength in minimum time
- Progressively load tissue while monitoring for symptoms (Correct answer)
- Replace physical therapy sessions
- Meet coaching timeline for return to competition
Correct answer: Progressively load tissue while monitoring for symptoms
Interval throwing programs systematically increase stress on healing tissue while allowing the AT to monitor for pain or mechanical dysfunction at each stage.
Question 3: Which pharmacological class is commonly used topically in athletic training via iontophoresis to reduce localized inflammation?
- Beta blockers
- Corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone) (Correct answer)
- Anticoagulants
- Diuretics
Correct answer: Corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone)
Dexamethasone, a corticosteroid, is one of the most common medications delivered iontophoretically to reduce localized inflammation.
Question 4: When performing a musculoskeletal evaluation using the HOPS format, what does the second 'O' stand for?
- Outcome
- Observation
- Orthopedic testing (Correct answer)
- Onset
Correct answer: Orthopedic testing
In the HOPS assessment format, the letters stand for History, Observation, Palpation, and Special (orthopedic) tests.
Question 5: A patient is performing proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching. In the 'contract-relax' technique, what does the initial contraction phase accomplish?
- Activates the stretch reflex to increase flexibility
- Fatigues the antagonist muscle
- Triggers autogenic inhibition via Golgi tendon organ activation (Correct answer)
- Increases joint compression to stabilize the target segment
Correct answer: Triggers autogenic inhibition via Golgi tendon organ activation
Isometric contraction of the target muscle activates the Golgi tendon organ, which reflexively inhibits the muscle (autogenic inhibition), allowing greater ROM during the subsequent stretch.
Question 6: An athletic trainer at a college must maintain medical records according to FERPA. For how long must these records be retained after the student leaves the institution?
- 1 year
- 3 years
- 5 years (Correct answer)
- 7 years
Correct answer: 5 years
FERPA regulations and general healthcare standards recommend retaining student-athlete medical records for a minimum of 5 years after the student leaves the institution, though state laws may vary.
Question 7: Which type of consent is assumed when an unconscious, critically injured athlete receives emergency care from an AT?
- Informed consent
- Express consent
- Implied consent (Correct answer)
- Substituted consent
Correct answer: Implied consent
Implied consent is legally assumed in emergency situations when the patient is unable to provide consent and delay would cause serious harm.
ATC Therapeutic Intervention & Health Care Administration 4
Which cryotherapy application is MOST appropriate for reducing acute post-exercise inflammation in a large muscle group like the quadriceps?