CCSP Emergency Procedures & Sideline Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: 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:
- Retinal detachment; cover the eye, restrict activity, and arrange urgent ophthalmologic evaluation (Correct answer)
- Corneal abrasion; irrigate with saline and patch the eye
- Subconjunctival hemorrhage; reassure and allow return to play
- Vitreous hemorrhage; have the athlete lie supine and apply ice
Correct 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.
Question 2: In the sideline management of a diabetic athlete who is conscious but confused with blood glucose of 52 mg/dL, the initial treatment is:
- 15–20 g of fast-acting oral carbohydrates and recheck glucose in 15 minutes (Correct answer)
- Administer glucagon 1 mg IM immediately
- Give insulin and monitor for improvement
- Provide a high-protein, high-fat meal to stabilize glucose
Correct 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.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes the Maddocks questions used in sideline concussion evaluation?
- Standardized orientation questions assessing venue, teams, score, and prior game results (Correct answer)
- Graded symptom scale scored from 0–6 on intensity
- A series of neurological reflex tests performed on the sideline
- Balance tests conducted on a foam pad with eyes closed
Correct 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.
Question 4: 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:
- Begin cold water immersion immediately while waiting for EMS (Correct answer)
- Move athlete to shade and apply ice bags to neck only
- Administer oral electrolyte solution and fan the athlete
- Elevate the athlete's legs and monitor vitals until EMS arrives
Correct 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.
Question 5: When using an AED on an athlete wearing a pacemaker or ICD, the correct pad placement is:
- At least 1 inch away from the implanted device, following standard AED placement guidelines (Correct answer)
- Directly over the device to maximize energy delivery
- Anterior-posterior placement only regardless of device location
- Skip AED use and rely solely on CPR until EMS arrives
Correct 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.
Question 6: Which nerve is at highest risk of injury in an athlete who sustains a posterior shoulder dislocation?
- Axillary nerve (Correct answer)
- Radial nerve
- Musculocutaneous nerve
- Suprascapular nerve
Correct answer: Axillary nerve
The axillary nerve courses around the surgical neck of the humerus and is the most commonly injured nerve in glenohumeral dislocations.
Question 7: 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:
- Spleen (Correct answer)
- Liver
- Kidney
- Pancreas
Correct 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.
CCSP Emergency Procedures & Sideline Management 3
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: