NFHS Communication & Documentation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When communicating a concussion incident to a school nurse who was not present, what should the coach prioritize including?
- The athlete's athletic performance history
- A description of the mechanism of injury, symptoms observed, and time of removal (Correct answer)
- An opinion on whether the athlete has a concussion
- The athlete's previous academic records
Correct answer: A description of the mechanism of injury, symptoms observed, and time of removal
The coach should relay the mechanism of injury, symptoms observed, and the exact time the athlete was removed to give the nurse accurate clinical information.
Question 2: Which of the following represents a breach of proper concussion communication protocol?
- Informing the athlete's parents before the end of practice
- Notifying the school athletic trainer immediately after removal from play
- Telling teammates about the athlete's concussion symptoms without authorization (Correct answer)
- Documenting the injury in the school's incident report system
Correct answer: Telling teammates about the athlete's concussion symptoms without authorization
Sharing an athlete's health information with teammates without authorization violates privacy protocols and is a breach of proper communication standards.
Question 3: Why is it important for athletic trainers and coaches to use consistent terminology when documenting a concussion?
- To make reports sound more professional to parents
- To avoid confusion between staff and ensure accurate medical follow-up (Correct answer)
- So that reports can be shared on public school websites
- To satisfy insurance company audit requirements only
Correct answer: To avoid confusion between staff and ensure accurate medical follow-up
Consistent terminology prevents misinterpretation among school staff and healthcare providers, ensuring the athlete receives appropriate and continuous care.
Question 4: A student-athlete transfers to a new school after sustaining a concussion. What communication responsibility does the original school have?
- None — concussion records are destroyed when a student transfers
- Forward relevant concussion documentation to the new school per applicable records transfer policies (Correct answer)
- Notify only the new school's athletic director verbally
- Wait for the new school to formally request records before sharing anything
Correct answer: Forward relevant concussion documentation to the new school per applicable records transfer policies
The originating school should forward applicable concussion documentation to the new school as part of standard student health records transfer procedures.
Question 5: What role does the athlete play in the communication and documentation process following a suspected concussion?
- Athletes determine whether documentation is necessary based on how they feel
- Athletes can opt out of the documentation process if they are 18 or older
- Athletes should be informed of the process and encouraged to honestly report all symptoms (Correct answer)
- Athletes sign off on the final report to confirm its accuracy before it is filed
Correct answer: Athletes should be informed of the process and encouraged to honestly report all symptoms
Athletes should be educated about the process and encouraged to be honest about symptoms, though the documentation responsibility rests with school personnel.
Question 6: Which of the following situations requires updating a previously filed concussion documentation form?
- The athlete completes one step of the return-to-play protocol without symptoms
- New or worsening symptoms emerge after the initial report was filed (Correct answer)
- The athlete's parents acknowledge receiving the original report
- The coach changes the athlete's position after recovery
Correct answer: New or worsening symptoms emerge after the initial report was filed
If new or worsening symptoms develop after the initial report, the documentation must be updated to reflect the athlete's changing condition.
Question 7: How should a coach communicate with an athlete's classroom teachers regarding a suspected concussion?
- Announce it during a faculty meeting to ensure all teachers are aware
- Share only what is necessary for academic accommodations, following privacy guidelines (Correct answer)
- Provide teachers with the full medical report to help them monitor the athlete
- Avoid notifying teachers until the athlete receives official medical clearance
Correct answer: Share only what is necessary for academic accommodations, following privacy guidelines
Teachers should receive only the information necessary to provide appropriate academic accommodations, and all communication must respect the athlete's privacy.
NFHS Communication & Documentation 3
When communicating a concussion incident to a school nurse who was not present, what should the coach prioritize including?