NATA-BOC Practice Questions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A football player sustains a suspected cervical spine injury and is unresponsive. What is the FIRST priority for the athletic trainer?
- Remove the helmet immediately
- Establish airway while maintaining cervical stabilization (Correct answer)
- Place the athlete in the recovery position
- Call for emergency transport before assessing airway
Correct answer: Establish airway while maintaining cervical stabilization
Airway management takes priority in any unresponsive patient, but cervical spine precautions must be maintained simultaneously.
Question 2: Which muscle is primarily responsible for scapular upward rotation during overhead arm elevation?
- Rhomboid major
- Serratus anterior (Correct answer)
- Levator scapulae
- Pectoralis minor
Correct answer: Serratus anterior
The serratus anterior, along with the upper and lower trapezius, drives scapular upward rotation during arm elevation.
Question 3: A lacrosse player presents with point tenderness at the lateral epicondyle and pain with resisted wrist extension. Which condition is MOST likely?
- Medial epicondylitis
- Lateral epicondylitis (Correct answer)
- Cubital tunnel syndrome
- Radial tunnel syndrome
Correct answer: Lateral epicondylitis
Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is characterized by lateral epicondyle tenderness and pain with resisted wrist extension.
Question 4: According to the NATA position statement, which is the MOST effective cooling method for exertional heat stroke?
- Ice packs to axilla and groin
- Cool water misting with fanning
- Cold-water immersion (Correct answer)
- Intravenous fluid administration
Correct answer: Cold-water immersion
Cold-water immersion (CWI) is the gold standard for cooling exertional heat stroke due to its superior cooling rate.
Question 5: Which special test is used to assess the integrity of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)?
- Lachman test
- Anterior drawer test
- Posterior drawer test (Correct answer)
- McMurray test
Correct 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°.
Question 6: A soccer player reports groin pain that worsens with resisted hip adduction. Which muscle group is MOST likely strained?
- Hip flexors
- Hip adductors (Correct answer)
- Gluteus medius
- Quadriceps
Correct answer: Hip adductors
Groin pain reproduced by resisted hip adduction indicates a strain of the adductor muscle group.
Question 7: What is the recommended return-to-play protocol step that immediately follows 'full practice participation without restriction'?
- Light aerobic exercise
- Sport-specific training
- Non-contact drills
- Return to competition (Correct answer)
Correct 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.
NATA-BOC Practice Questions 2
A football player sustains a suspected cervical spine injury and is unresponsive.
What is the FIRST priority for the athletic trainer?