NFHS Injury Recognition & Symptom Evaluation 5

Question 1

Which of the following scenarios would represent the MOST challenging situation for recognizing a concussion in a high school athlete?

Accepted Answer

An athlete who minimizes or hides symptoms to stay in the game

Answer

Athletes who hide or minimize symptoms pose the greatest challenge to recognition because they actively prevent identification of the injury.

Question 2

A track athlete falls during a hurdles event and bumps their head. There is no visible bruise or cut. This should influence the concussion assessment by:

Accepted Answer

Having no effect, since concussion is a brain injury not visible externally

Answer

Concussion is a functional brain injury with no visible structural damage, so the absence of external signs does not rule out a concussion.

Question 3

An athlete who sustained a concussion during Tuesday's practice reports feeling 'back to normal' by Thursday morning. What is the most important consideration before any return-to-play decision?

Accepted Answer

The athlete must complete a graduated return-to-play protocol even if asymptomatic

Answer

Feeling symptom-free is the starting point, not the endpoint — athletes must complete a step-wise graduated return-to-play protocol before full clearance.

Question 4

During football practice, a lineman is hit during a blocking drill and immediately grabs his helmet. He doesn't fall but seems 'off' for a moment. Without loss of consciousness or obvious symptoms, a coach should:

Accepted Answer

Remove the athlete and assess for concussion symptoms

Answer

Loss of consciousness occurs in fewer than 10% of concussions, so its absence does not rule out concussion; any athlete who appears 'off' after a head impact should be removed for evaluation.

Question 5

A cheerleader is dropped during a stunt and lands on her back. She did not hit her head directly but experiences a sudden snap of the head. Which mechanism explains why she may have a concussion?

Accepted Answer

Rapid acceleration-deceleration of the brain within the skull can cause concussion without direct head impact

Answer

Concussions can result from indirect forces that cause rapid head movement, as the brain can be injured when it collides with the inside of the skull due to acceleration-deceleration forces.

(NFHS) National Federation of State High School Associations Concussion in Sports Certification Practice Test

(NFHS) National Federation of State High School Associations Concussion in Sports Certification Practice Test

NFHS Injury Recognition & Symptom Evaluation 5