Injury Prevention
Brain Injury in Sports

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What To Do If You Are The Coach/Parent

If you are the coach/parent, you should do the following:4

  • 1.

    Be sure each player has a medical evaluation prior to playing.

  • 2.

    Ask if the player has had a previous concussion.

  • 3.

    Educate the players about the signs and symptoms of a concussion.

  • 4.

    Consider conducting a preseason neurologic assessment to obtain a baseline.

  • 5.

    Monitor any decrease in grades.

What To Do If You Suspect a Player Has Sustained a Concussion

If you suspect a player has sustained a concussion, you should do the following:

  • 1.

    Remove the athlete from play.

  • 2.

    Ensure that the athlete is evaluated by a health provider.

  • 3.

    Remind the athlete that it is better to miss one game than the entire season.

  • 4.

    Allow the athlete to return to play only when he or she has been cleared by a medical professional.

Nancy J. Denke, Arizona State Council Emergency Nurses Association, is Trauma Nurse Practitioner, Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn-Trauma Department, Scottsdale, Ariz.

References (8)

  • RC Cantu

    Second-impact syndrome

    Clin Sports Med

    (1998)
  • Practice parameter: the management of concussion in sports [summary statement, 1997]

  • Regan T. Young athletes’ concussions: concern grows and playing time diminishes as danger becomes clearer. The Early...
  • Heads up: Concussion in Youth Sports

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

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Nancy J. Denke, Arizona State Council Emergency Nurses Association, is Trauma Nurse Practitioner, Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn-Trauma Department, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Section Editors: Tomi St. Mars, RN, MSN, CEN, FAEN, and Anna M. Valdez, RN, PhD(c), CEN

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