NATA-BOC Upper Extremity Injury Assessment Questions and Answers

Question 1

An athlete falls on an outstretched hand (FOOSH) and reports localized wrist pain.
Examination reveals marked tenderness to palpation in the anatomical snuffbox.
Initial radiographs of the wrist are negative for a fracture.
What is the most appropriate immediate course of action?

Accepted Answer

Immobilize the wrist and thumb in a spica splint and refer for follow-up evaluation and potential repeat imaging.

Answer

Apply a compression wrap, provide ice, and advise the athlete to monitor symptoms.

Answer

Begin gentle active range of motion exercises to prevent stiffness.

Answer

Administer an over-the-counter NSAID and clear the athlete for return to play as tolerated.

Question 2

An athletic trainer performs a valgus stress test on an elbow flexed to 20-30 degrees. Increased laxity and/or pain with this maneuver primarily indicates an injury to which structure?

Accepted Answer

Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL)

Answer

Annular ligament

Answer

Radial collateral ligament (RCL)

Answer

Lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL)

Question 3

A patient reports numbness and tingling in their thumb, index finger, and middle finger, which often worsens at night and is temporarily relieved by shaking their hand. Which of the following conditions is most consistent with this presentation?

Accepted Answer

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Answer

Cubital tunnel syndrome

Answer

Thoracic outlet syndrome

Answer

Cervical radiculopathy (C6)

Question 4

The Empty Can (Jobe) test is performed by placing the athlete's shoulder in 90 degrees of scaption with full internal rotation (thumb pointing down) and applying downward pressure. Pain or weakness during this test is most indicative of pathology in which muscle?

Accepted Answer

Supraspinatus

Answer

Infraspinatus

Answer

Teres minor

Answer

Subscapularis

Question 5

A baseball pitcher complains of a deep, 'clicking' pain in the shoulder during the late cocking phase of throwing. The athletic trainer performs an active compression (O'Brien's) test. A positive test for a SLAP lesion is indicated by pain in the first position (shoulder flexed, adducted, and internally rotated) that is significantly reduced or eliminated in the second position (shoulder flexed, adducted, and externally rotated). This test implicates which structure?

Accepted Answer

Superior labrum and biceps anchor complex

Answer

Acromioclavicular joint

Answer

Posterior rotator cuff

Answer

Subacromial bursa

Question 6

An athlete with a history of anterior shoulder subluxations is being evaluated. The athletic trainer places the shoulder in 90 degrees of abduction and slowly externally rotates it, causing the athlete to become apprehensive. The athletic trainer then applies a posteriorly directed force to the humeral head, which relieves the athlete's apprehension. This sequence of maneuvers is best described as which special test?

Accepted Answer

Apprehension and Relocation Test

Answer

Sulcus Sign

Answer

Jerk Test

Answer

Neer's Impingement Test