Injury Recognition & Symptom Evaluation Flashcards

A soccer player heads the ball and immediately reports feeling 'foggy' and has difficulty remembering the drill sequence. Which category of concussion symptom does this BEST represent?

Answer: Cognitive symptom

Feeling 'foggy' and difficulty remembering are cognitive symptoms, which include confusion, memory problems, and slowed thinking.

After a collision in basketball, an athlete appears dazed and keeps asking 'What happened?' despite being told multiple times. This repeated questioning is a sign of:

Answer: Anterograde amnesia

Anterograde amnesia is the inability to form new memories after the injury, causing the athlete to repeatedly ask the same questions.

Which of the following is considered a RED FLAG symptom requiring immediate emergency medical care after a suspected concussion?

Answer: One pupil larger than the other

Unequal pupil size (anisocoria) is a red flag indicating possible intracranial bleeding or pressure requiring emergency evaluation.

A wrestler is thrown to the mat and briefly loses consciousness for about 5 seconds. Upon regaining consciousness, the athlete says they feel fine. What should happen next?

Answer: Remove the athlete and initiate concussion protocol

Any loss of consciousness, regardless of duration, requires immediate removal from play and full concussion protocol evaluation.

Which physical symptom should a coach or athletic trainer specifically look for in the hours following a suspected concussion that may indicate worsening condition?

Answer: Increasing headache intensity

A headache that worsens over time is a warning sign of potential intracranial pressure buildup and requires emergency evaluation.

An athlete reports neck pain following a head collision during a football game. How does this affect the concussion assessment process?

Answer: Neck pain must be evaluated to rule out cervical spine injury before moving the athlete

Neck pain after a head impact raises concern for cervical spine injury, which must be ruled out before moving the athlete to prevent further injury.

During a volleyball game, a player is struck by a ball to the side of the head and complains of ringing in one ear. This symptom is called:

Answer: Tinnitus

Tinnitus is the medical term for ringing or buzzing in the ears, which is a recognized physical symptom of concussion.