CCSP On-Field Emergency Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A basketball player is struck in the chest and immediately develops hypotension, jugular venous distension, and muffled heart sounds. What condition do these findings suggest?
- Tension pneumothorax
- Hemothorax
- Cardiac tamponade (Correct answer)
- Aortic dissection
Correct answer: Cardiac tamponade
Beck's triad (hypotension, JVD, muffled heart sounds) is the classic presentation of cardiac tamponade.
Question 2: During heat stroke management on the field, which cooling method has the highest rate of heat dissipation?
- Ice packs to axillae and groin
- Misting fan technique
- Cold water immersion (Correct answer)
- Wet towel application
Correct answer: Cold water immersion
Cold water immersion (ice water tub) is the gold standard and most effective method for rapid cooling in exertional heat stroke.
Question 3: A lacrosse player takes a stick to the throat and develops stridor, hoarseness, and subcutaneous emphysema. What structure is most likely injured?
- Esophagus
- Thyroid gland
- Larynx or trachea (Correct answer)
- Carotid artery
Correct answer: Larynx or trachea
Stridor, hoarseness, and subcutaneous emphysema after blunt anterior neck trauma indicate laryngotracheal injury.
Question 4: What is the target core body temperature at which active cooling should be stopped in an exertional heat stroke patient?
- 101°F (38.3°C)
- 102°F (38.9°C)
- 103°F (39.4°C) (Correct answer)
- 104°F (40.0°C)
Correct answer: 103°F (39.4°C)
Cooling is typically stopped at approximately 103°F (39.4°C) to avoid overshooting and causing hypothermia.
Question 5: A swimmer is pulled from the water unresponsive and not breathing. Rescue breaths are given but the chest does not rise. What is the next step?
- Begin chest compressions immediately
- Reposition the head and retry the breath (Correct answer)
- Perform a blind finger sweep
- Attempt a Heimlich maneuver
Correct answer: Reposition the head and retry the breath
If the initial rescue breath fails to produce chest rise, the head should be repositioned before a second attempt.
Question 6: Which sign differentiates a simple rib fracture from a flail chest segment?
- Localized tenderness on palpation
- Paradoxical chest wall movement with respiration (Correct answer)
- Splinting behavior during breathing
- Crepitus over the fracture site
Correct answer: Paradoxical chest wall movement with respiration
Paradoxical movement (segment moves inward on inspiration, outward on expiration) is the defining feature of a flail chest segment.
Question 7: In the management of an open (sucking) chest wound, what type of dressing should ideally be applied?
- Occlusive dressing on all four sides
- Three-sided occlusive dressing (Correct answer)
- Pressure dressing with elastic bandage
- Non-occlusive sterile gauze
Correct answer: Three-sided occlusive dressing
A three-sided occlusive dressing acts as a flutter valve, allowing air to escape on expiration while preventing air entry on inspiration.
CCSP On-Field Emergency Procedures 3
A basketball player is struck in the chest and immediately develops hypotension, jugular venous distension, and muffled heart sounds.
What condition do these findings suggest?