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

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Study for the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC) Test. Prepare with quizzes, flashcards, and detailed explanations. Boost your readiness and confidence!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


In emergency care, what is the primary focus when assessing a patient with a head injury?

  1. Evaluating bone fractures

  2. Checking for consciousness and responsiveness

  3. Assessing limb circulation

  4. Determining ear temperature

The correct answer is: Checking for consciousness and responsiveness

When assessing a patient with a head injury, the primary focus should be on checking for consciousness and responsiveness. This is critical as it helps determine the extent of the injury and the level of brain function. Assessing consciousness is essential in identifying potential brain injury, including concussions or more severe traumatic brain injuries. The Glasgow Coma Scale is often used in such situations to evaluate a patient's responsiveness effectively, which aids emergency personnel in making decisions regarding further intervention, monitoring, and transport to medical facilities. While evaluating bone fractures, assessing limb circulation, and determining ear temperature can be relevant in a comprehensive examination, they are not the immediate priorities in the context of a head injury. The brain's condition and responsiveness are far more crucial for determining the patient's overall health and immediate needs in emergency medicine.