MACE Symptom Recognition & Monitoring 2

Question 1

What are the visual symptoms of concussion?

Accepted Answer

Blurred vision, double vision (diplopia), light sensitivity (photophobia), difficulty tracking moving objects, and visual field deficits

Answer

Visual disturbances are common after concussion because multiple brain areas involved in visual processing are vulnerable to injury. Convergence insufficiency, accommodation dysfunction, and saccadic eye movement abnormalities are frequently observed.

Question 2

What balance and vestibular symptoms are associated with concussion?

Accepted Answer

Dizziness, vertigo, balance problems, motion sensitivity, and difficulty with rapid head movements

Answer

The vestibular system is commonly disrupted by concussion, causing dizziness, balance impairment, and motion sensitivity. These symptoms are assessed through balance testing (BESS) and may require vestibular rehabilitation.

Question 3

How does physical exertion affect concussion symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Physical activity can temporarily worsen concussion symptoms (headache, dizziness, cognitive difficulties), which is why graded return-to-activity protocols are used

Answer

Exertion increases brain metabolic demand when the brain is metabolically compromised. Symptom exacerbation during activity indicates the brain has not fully recovered. However, controlled sub-symptom threshold exercise may aid recovery.

Question 4

What emotional and behavioral changes should be monitored after concussion?

Accepted Answer

Irritability, mood swings, anxiety, depression, decreased frustration tolerance, and personality changes

Answer

Concussion commonly affects emotional regulation through disruption of prefrontal cortex function and limbic system connections. Irritability, anxiety, depression, and reduced emotional control are common and often distressing symptoms.

Question 5

What sleep disturbances are associated with concussion?

Accepted Answer

Difficulty falling asleep (insomnia), excessive sleepiness, fragmented sleep, altered sleep-wake cycles, and increased or decreased total sleep time

Answer

Sleep disruption after concussion can manifest as both too much and too little sleep. Disrupted sleep-wake regulation, difficulty initiating sleep, frequent awakenings, and daytime drowsiness are all common and impair recovery.

MACE - Military Acute Concussion Evaluation Practice Test

MACE - Military Acute Concussion Evaluation Practice Test

MACE Symptom Recognition & Monitoring 2