SCS Emergency Procedures & Response 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A soccer player is stung by a bee and develops urticaria, throat tightness, and hypotension. After activating EMS, what is the FIRST-line pharmacological intervention?
- Diphenhydramine 50mg IM
- Epinephrine 1:1000, 0.3-0.5mg IM into the anterolateral thigh (Correct answer)
- Hydrocortisone 100mg IV
- Albuterol inhaler 2 puffs
Correct answer: Epinephrine 1:1000, 0.3-0.5mg IM into the anterolateral thigh
Epinephrine 1:1000 administered IM into the anterolateral thigh is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis.
Question 2: An athlete with a known seizure disorder experiences a generalized tonic-clonic seizure on the sideline. The seizure lasts 3 minutes and stops spontaneously. What is the MOST appropriate next step?
- Restrain the athlete to prevent injury during future seizures
- Place the athlete in the recovery position and monitor airway (Correct answer)
- Insert a bite block between the teeth immediately
- Administer benzodiazepine prophylactically
Correct answer: Place the athlete in the recovery position and monitor airway
After a seizure that resolves spontaneously, the athlete should be placed in the lateral recovery position to maintain airway patency.
Question 3: A swimmer is pulled from the pool unresponsive. Two rescuers are present. What modification to CPR technique is recommended for a drowning victim?
- Begin with defibrillation before CPR
- Start with 5 rescue breaths before compressions (Correct answer)
- Perform compressions only without rescue breaths
- Begin with 30 compressions then 2 rescue breaths as in standard CPR
Correct answer: Start with 5 rescue breaths before compressions
For drowning victims, 5 initial rescue breaths are recommended before beginning chest compressions due to the hypoxic nature of the arrest.
Question 4: During a pre-participation physical, an athlete discloses a previous episode of exercise-induced syncope. Which diagnostic tool is MOST appropriate to evaluate for cardiac arrhythmia?
- Resting 12-lead ECG only
- Echocardiogram with Doppler
- Exercise stress test with ECG monitoring (Correct answer)
- Holter monitor worn for 24-48 hours
Correct answer: Exercise stress test with ECG monitoring
An exercise stress test with ECG monitoring is most appropriate to provoke and identify arrhythmias that occur specifically during physical exertion.
Question 5: A gymnast sustains a suspected femoral fracture during a vault landing. She is hemodynamically stable. Which splinting technique is MOST appropriate for transport?
- Apply a posterior long leg splint
- Use a traction splint to reduce displacement (Correct answer)
- Splint in the position of deformity using rigid materials
- Immobilize with a figure-eight bandage
Correct answer: Use a traction splint to reduce displacement
A traction splint is the preferred device for mid-shaft femur fractures as it reduces pain, blood loss, and neurovascular compromise.
Question 6: What is the PRIMARY reason exertional sickling is dangerous and can lead to sudden death in athletes with sickle cell trait?
- Sickling causes acute hemolytic anemia and severe jaundice
- Sickling in muscle vasculature causes ischemia, rhabdomyolysis, and vascular collapse (Correct answer)
- Sickling triggers anaphylaxis in susceptible athletes
- Sickling causes sudden cardiac arrhythmias directly
Correct answer: Sickling in muscle vasculature causes ischemia, rhabdomyolysis, and vascular collapse
Exercise-induced sickling obstructs muscle microvasculature, leading to ischemia, rhabdomyolysis, metabolic acidosis, and vascular collapse.
Question 7: A football player is found unresponsive after a collision. You suspect a spinal injury. Which technique is BEST for opening the airway in this scenario?
- Head-tilt chin-lift maneuver
- Jaw-thrust maneuver without head extension (Correct answer)
- Neck lift with chin support
- Nasopharyngeal airway insertion immediately
Correct answer: Jaw-thrust maneuver without head extension
The jaw-thrust maneuver opens the airway while minimizing cervical spine movement in trauma patients.
SCS Emergency Procedures & Response 3
A soccer player is stung by a bee and develops urticaria, throat tightness, and hypotension.
After activating EMS, what is the FIRST-line pharmacological intervention?