SCS Patient Safety & Risk Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An athlete collapses during a summer football practice with a rectal temperature of 41.5°C (106.7°F) and altered mental status. What is the most appropriate immediate intervention?
- Administer oral fluids and monitor in a shaded area
- Immerse the athlete in cold water tub immediately (Correct answer)
- Apply ice packs to axillae and groin only
- Transport immediately without any field cooling
Correct answer: Immerse the athlete in cold water tub immediately
Cold water immersion (CWI) is the gold standard for exertional heat stroke, achieving the fastest cooling rate to reach the target temperature of <38.9°C before transport.
Question 2: Which documentation element is MOST critical when filing an incident report after an athlete sustains a concussion during practice?
- The athlete's season statistics and performance history
- Exact time, mechanism of injury, and initial symptoms observed (Correct answer)
- Names of all teammates who witnessed the event
- Insurance policy number and coverage details
Correct answer: Exact time, mechanism of injury, and initial symptoms observed
Accurate recording of time, mechanism, and initial symptoms establishes a clinical and legal baseline and guides return-to-play decision-making.
Question 3: Under HIPAA, an athletic trainer may share an athlete's protected health information with a team physician without explicit consent under which condition?
- The athlete is a minor
- Treatment purposes within the same covered entity or care team (Correct answer)
- The coach requests it for performance evaluation
- The information is more than 5 years old
Correct answer: Treatment purposes within the same covered entity or care team
HIPAA's Treatment exception allows disclosure among providers directly involved in the patient's care without additional authorization.
Question 4: A high school athlete reports taking creatine supplements. What is the athletic trainer's primary risk management responsibility?
- Prohibit use because creatine is a banned substance by WADA
- Document use, screen for contraindications, and educate about evidence-based risks (Correct answer)
- Report the athlete to school administration immediately
- Advise discontinuation without further assessment
Correct answer: Document use, screen for contraindications, and educate about evidence-based risks
Creatine is not banned but carries hydration and renal considerations; documenting use and providing evidence-based education is the appropriate risk management step.
Question 5: Which action BEST demonstrates adherence to standard of care when managing a suspected cervical spine injury on the field?
- Remove the helmet immediately to assess airway
- Stabilize the head and cervical spine manually until EMS arrives (Correct answer)
- Log-roll the athlete onto their back and assess breathing
- Have teammates assist in carrying the athlete off the field
Correct answer: Stabilize the head and cervical spine manually until EMS arrives
Manual in-line stabilization must be maintained until appropriate equipment and personnel can safely manage spinal immobilization.
Question 6: An athlete with sickle cell trait collapses during intense conditioning. Which finding MOST distinguishes exertional sickling from exertional heat stroke?
- Core temperature above 40°C
- Muscle weakness and slumping without cramping or high core temp (Correct answer)
- Profuse sweating and hot skin
- Loss of consciousness with seizure activity
Correct answer: Muscle weakness and slumping without cramping or high core temp
Exertional sickling typically presents with profound muscle weakness and vascular collapse at relatively normal core temperatures, distinguishing it from heat stroke.
Question 7: When establishing an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for an outdoor venue, which component is MOST often cited as deficient during audits?
- Location of nearest hospital
- Clearly designated roles and rehearsed communication chain (Correct answer)
- Name of team physician on record
- List of athletes with known allergies
Correct answer: Clearly designated roles and rehearsed communication chain
EAP audits most commonly identify gaps in role assignment and practiced communication protocols, which are essential for coordinated emergency response.
SCS Patient Safety & Risk Management 2
An athlete collapses during a summer football practice with a rectal temperature of 41.5°C (106.7°F) and altered mental status.
What is the most appropriate immediate intervention?