Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC) Practice Test

A hockey player finds pain worsening over three weeks. Which underlying issue might this suggest?

1. Acute injury

2. Chronic condition

3. Growth plate disruption

4. Infection

The correct answer is: Chronic condition

The worsening pain over a three-week period in the hockey player suggests a chronic condition. Chronic conditions are typically characterized by symptoms that develop gradually and persist over time, often leading to increasing discomfort or dysfunction. In contrast, an acute injury is usually associated with a specific event or trauma and is often characterized by immediate pain rather than a gradual worsening. In the context of sports injuries, a chronic condition could include issues such as tendinitis, bursitis, or stress fractures, which may not present with immediate, intense pain but instead manifest as persistent discomfort that can exacerbate over time due to repetitive stress or overuse. This aligns with the description of the player’s pain worsening over several weeks. While growth plate disruption and infection could also lead to significant pain, they are less likely to present solely as worsening pain over a prolonged period without additional symptoms or indicators, such as visible swelling or systemic signs of infection. Thus, the nature of the pain's progression strongly points towards a chronic condition as the underlying issue.