Emergency Procedures & Sideline Management Flashcards

A soccer player is struck in the eye by the ball and reports sudden vision loss with a dark curtain across the visual field. The most likely diagnosis and correct sideline action are:

Answer: Retinal detachment; cover the eye, restrict activity, and arrange urgent ophthalmologic evaluation

A curtain or shadow across vision after trauma suggests retinal detachment, which is an ocular emergency requiring urgent specialist care.

In the sideline management of a diabetic athlete who is conscious but confused with blood glucose of 52 mg/dL, the initial treatment is:

Answer: 15–20 g of fast-acting oral carbohydrates and recheck glucose in 15 minutes

The '15-15 rule' — 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrates followed by a 15-minute recheck — is the standard initial management for mild to moderate hypoglycemia in a conscious athlete.

Which of the following best describes the Maddocks questions used in sideline concussion evaluation?

Answer: Standardized orientation questions assessing venue, teams, score, and prior game results

Maddocks questions assess sport-specific orientation and are more sensitive for acute concussion detection than standard orientation questions.

A track athlete collapses after a 10K race on a hot day and is conscious but confused with a rectal temperature of 41.2°C. EMS is 20 minutes away. The CCSP should:

Answer: Begin cold water immersion immediately while waiting for EMS

Exertional heat stroke with temperature >40°C and CNS dysfunction requires immediate cold water immersion — delay increases morbidity and mortality.

When using an AED on an athlete wearing a pacemaker or ICD, the correct pad placement is:

Answer: At least 1 inch away from the implanted device, following standard AED placement guidelines

AED pads should be placed at least 1 inch from implanted cardiac devices to avoid shunting energy through the device.

Which nerve is at highest risk of injury in an athlete who sustains a posterior shoulder dislocation?

Answer: Axillary nerve

The axillary nerve courses around the surgical neck of the humerus and is the most commonly injured nerve in glenohumeral dislocations.

A volleyball player sustains blunt abdominal trauma and complains of left shoulder pain with no visible chest or shoulder injury. This referred pain pattern suggests injury to the:

Answer: Spleen

Left shoulder pain (Kehr's sign) after abdominal trauma indicates splenic injury due to diaphragmatic irritation from blood pooling under the left hemidiaphragm.