Practice Questions Flashcards

A football player sustains a suspected cervical spine injury and is unresponsive. What is the FIRST priority for the athletic trainer?

Answer: Establish airway while maintaining cervical stabilization

Airway management takes priority in any unresponsive patient, but cervical spine precautions must be maintained simultaneously.

Which muscle is primarily responsible for scapular upward rotation during overhead arm elevation?

Answer: Serratus anterior

The serratus anterior, along with the upper and lower trapezius, drives scapular upward rotation during arm elevation.

A lacrosse player presents with point tenderness at the lateral epicondyle and pain with resisted wrist extension. Which condition is MOST likely?

Answer: Lateral epicondylitis

Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is characterized by lateral epicondyle tenderness and pain with resisted wrist extension.

According to the NATA position statement, which is the MOST effective cooling method for exertional heat stroke?

Answer: Cold-water immersion

Cold-water immersion (CWI) is the gold standard for cooling exertional heat stroke due to its superior cooling rate.

Which special test is used to assess the integrity of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)?

Answer: Posterior drawer test

The posterior drawer test assesses PCL integrity by applying a posterior force to the proximal tibia with the knee at 90°.

A soccer player reports groin pain that worsens with resisted hip adduction. Which muscle group is MOST likely strained?

Answer: Hip adductors

Groin pain reproduced by resisted hip adduction indicates a strain of the adductor muscle group.

What is the recommended return-to-play protocol step that immediately follows 'full practice participation without restriction'?

Answer: Return to competition

After full unrestricted practice participation, the athlete is cleared for return to competition in the concussion graduated return-to-play protocol.