Critical Incident Management Flashcards
6 cards from real NATA-BOC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Critical Incident Management flashcards as text
During a football game, an athlete is found unconscious on the field with a suspected cervical spine injury. What is the first priority in the emergency action plan?
Answer: Establish and maintain an open airway
Establishing and maintaining an open airway is always the first priority in emergency management. The modified jaw thrust technique should be used for suspected spinal injuries to open the airway while minimizing cervical spine movement.
An athletic trainer suspects an athlete is experiencing an exertional heat stroke. Which of the following is the most critical immediate intervention?
Answer: Initiate cold water immersion
Cold water immersion (CWI) is the gold standard for treating exertional heat stroke. The principle of 'cool first, transport second' should be followed, as rapid cooling within 30 minutes significantly reduces morbidity and mortality.
An athlete collapses on the field and is found to be pulseless and not breathing. An AED is available. What is the correct sequence of actions?
Answer: Call 911, begin chest compressions, apply AED when ready
For a witnessed sudden cardiac arrest in an athletic setting, the correct sequence is to activate EMS (call 911), begin high-quality chest compressions immediately, and apply the AED as soon as it is available without interrupting CPR unnecessarily.
An asthmatic athlete becomes severely dyspneic during practice and is not responding to their rescue inhaler. What is the appropriate next step?
Answer: Activate EMS and prepare to administer epinephrine if available
An asthmatic patient not responding to a rescue inhaler is in status asthmaticus, a life-threatening emergency. EMS should be activated immediately, and epinephrine may be necessary if respiratory failure is imminent.
During a wrestling match, an athlete sustains a laceration to the forehead that is bleeding profusely. After applying direct pressure, the bleeding continues. What should be done next?
Answer: Add additional dressings on top without removing the first
When initial direct pressure is not controlling bleeding, additional dressings should be placed on top of the existing ones. Removing the original dressing disrupts any clot formation that may be occurring.
An athlete is struck in the chest by a baseball and immediately collapses. The athletic trainer suspects commotio cordis. What is the most time-sensitive intervention?
Answer: Apply an AED as quickly as possible
Commotio cordis typically causes ventricular fibrillation, and early defibrillation with an AED is the most critical intervention. Survival rates drop dramatically with each minute of delay in defibrillation.