AAOS 2026 Pediatric Orthopaedic Self-Assessment Examination Complete with rationales

2026 Pediatric Orthopaedic
Self-Assessment Examination

,AAOS 2026 Pediatrics


Question 1 of 100
Second-impact syndrome following a concussion
1- poses minimal concern for morbidity or mortality.
2- is less common in adolescents than in adults.
3- is related to a disruption of cerebral autoregulation.
4- refers to a second head injury after the athlete has been medically cleared to return to
play.



PREFERRED RESPONSE: 3- is related to a disruption of cerebral autoregulation.


DISCUSSION
According to several consensus statements, no child or adolescent athlete with a
concussion should be allowed to return to play on the same day, regardless of severity. Second-
impact syndrome refers to a second traumatic head injury that occurs while an athlete is still
experiencing symptoms from the first injury. Young athletes are particularly vulnerable to
second-impact syndrome. The mechanism by which this syndrome occurs likely is disruption
of cerebral autoregulation, which may result in cerebral vascular congestion, diffuse brain
swelling, and death.




1

,AAOS 2026 Pediatrics




Figure 2 Figure 3




Figure 4 Figure 5




2

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Figure 6a Figure 6b




Figure 6c


RESPONSES FOR QUESTIONS 2 THROUGH 6
1- Curettage and/or grafting



3