Patient Safety & Risk Management Flashcards
7 cards from real IHSA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patient Safety & Risk Management flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of a pre-participation physical evaluation (PPE) in youth athletics?
Answer: To identify medical conditions that could place an athlete at risk during participation
The PPE screens for conditions that may increase the risk of injury or sudden illness during athletic activity, protecting athlete health.
A coach suspects heat exhaustion in an athlete on a hot day. Which symptom distinguishes heat exhaustion from heat stroke and guides treatment priority?
Answer: Hot, dry skin with temperature above 104°F and altered mental status
Hot, dry skin with temperature above 104°F and altered mental status indicate heat stroke, a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate cooling and EMS activation.
Which documentation practice best supports risk management after an athlete sustains an injury during practice?
Answer: Completing a written incident report with date, time, mechanism of injury, and witness names
A formal written incident report creates an objective, contemporaneous record that is essential for risk management, insurance, and potential legal defense.
When is it appropriate for a certified coach to override a physician's return-to-play clearance?
Answer: It is never appropriate; physician clearance must be followed
Physicians hold the authority for medical return-to-play decisions; coaches must comply with that clearance and should not substitute their judgment for medical expertise.
An athlete reports chest pain and shortness of breath during conditioning drills. The coach's immediate priority is:
Answer: Stop the session and call 911 while keeping the athlete calm and still
Chest pain with shortness of breath may indicate a cardiac event; calling 911 immediately and keeping the athlete calm are life-saving priorities.
Which factor most significantly increases the risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in young athletes during exercise?
Answer: Undetected hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the leading structural cause of sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes and is often undetected without screening.
A coach learns that a student-athlete is being treated for a mental health condition. Under HIPAA and FERPA considerations, the coach should:
Answer: Maintain confidentiality and follow school policy on health information disclosure
Health information is protected under HIPAA and FERPA; coaches must maintain confidentiality and follow institutional policy on disclosure.