CIC Safety & Injury Prevention 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the 'heat index' and why it matters for athletic events?
- A measure of UV radiation intensity that indicates sunburn risk
- A combined measure of temperature and humidity that reflects how hot conditions feel to the body (Correct answer)
- The number of heat-related illnesses reported per event per year
- The maximum safe temperature for outdoor practice without modification
Correct answer: A combined measure of temperature and humidity that reflects how hot conditions feel to the body
The heat index combines air temperature and relative humidity to represent how hot conditions actually feel, guiding decisions to modify or cancel outdoor athletic activities.
Question 2: A softball player is hit in the chest by a pitch and collapses seconds later with no pulse. This scenario most likely represents:
- Pulmonary contusion requiring oxygen therapy
- Commotio cordis, requiring immediate CPR and AED use (Correct answer)
- Vasovagal syncope from pain and fear
- Spontaneous pneumothorax from the impact
Correct answer: Commotio cordis, requiring immediate CPR and AED use
Commotio cordis is a sudden cardiac arrest caused by a blunt chest impact during a critical phase of the cardiac cycle and requires immediate CPR and defibrillation.
Question 3: What is the most effective way a coach can reduce lightning risk during an outdoor sporting event?
- Instruct athletes to avoid metal equipment during storms
- Monitor weather forecasts and suspend activity at the first sound of thunder or sight of lightning (Correct answer)
- Move athletes under large trees for shelter
- Continue practice if lightning appears to be more than 5 miles away
Correct answer: Monitor weather forecasts and suspend activity at the first sound of thunder or sight of lightning
The NFHS lightning safety policy requires suspending outdoor activities at the first thunder or visible lightning and waiting 30 minutes after the last strike before resuming.
Question 4: An athlete reports that a teammate has been taking dietary supplements to gain muscle mass quickly. A coach's best response is to:
- Endorse the supplements if they are sold in a retail store
- Refer the athlete to the school athletic trainer or team physician for guidance on supplement safety (Correct answer)
- Discourage all supplements without providing further resources
- Report the teammate to administration for violation of drug policy
Correct answer: Refer the athlete to the school athletic trainer or team physician for guidance on supplement safety
Coaches should refer supplement questions to qualified medical professionals because many supplements carry contamination risks, banned substances, or health dangers not evident from labels.
Question 5: Which practice best protects athletes from bloodborne pathogen transmission during sporting events?
- Removing any athlete who is bleeding until the bleeding is controlled and equipment is cleaned (Correct answer)
- Allowing athletes to continue play if the wound is covered with a bandage
- Using the same gloves for multiple injured athletes to conserve supplies
- Rinsing wounds with water and returning athletes to play immediately
Correct answer: Removing any athlete who is bleeding until the bleeding is controlled and equipment is cleaned
NFHS bloodborne pathogen rules require that athletes who are actively bleeding be removed from play until the bleeding stops and any blood-contaminated equipment or surfaces are properly cleaned.
Question 6: During weight training, an athlete performs maximum lifts without a spotter. This practice primarily violates which safety principle?
- Proper hydration protocols
- Supervision and spotting requirements for resistance training (Correct answer)
- Appropriate footwear standards
- Equipment maintenance schedules
Correct answer: Supervision and spotting requirements for resistance training
Maximum-effort lifts require a competent spotter to prevent catastrophic injury if the athlete fails to complete the lift, a fundamental weight room safety requirement.
Question 7: A coach notices that a field hockey player has a loose-fitting helmet that doesn't meet current NOCSAE standards. The correct action is:
- Allow play to continue until the end of the season and order a replacement
- Remove the helmet from use immediately and replace it with one that meets current standards (Correct answer)
- Tape the helmet to improve fit and recheck at the next practice
- Allow the player to decide whether to use the non-compliant equipment
Correct answer: Remove the helmet from use immediately and replace it with one that meets current standards
Non-compliant or improperly fitting protective equipment must be removed from use immediately because it cannot provide the certified level of protection for the athlete.
CIC Safety & Injury Prevention 4
Which of the following best describes the 'heat index' and why it matters for athletic events?