ATHLETIC TRAINER LICENSING LEVEL III EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following best describes the primary role of an
athletic trainer?
A. Diagnosing fractures
B. Preventing and managing injuries in athletes
C. Prescribing medications
D. Performing surgery
Athletic trainers focus on injury prevention, emergency care, and
rehabilitation, not diagnosing or treating medical conditions
outside their scope.
2. When assessing an acute ankle sprain, the first step is:
A. Strength testing
B. Applying the RICE method
C. Functional testing
D. Return-to-play evaluation
Immediate management of acute soft tissue injuries involves Rest,
Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE).
3. Which ligament is most commonly injured in an inversion ankle
sprain?
A. Deltoid ligament
B. Posterior talofibular ligament
C. Anterior talofibular ligament
D. Calcaneofibular ligament
, The anterior talofibular ligament is most susceptible to inversion
injuries.
4. Heat stroke is characterized by:
A. Mild fatigue
B. Core temperature >104°F with CNS dysfunction
C. Excessive sweating and dehydration only
D. Muscle cramping
Heat stroke is life-threatening and involves hyperthermia with
central nervous system impairment.
5. Which of the following is an appropriate intervention for a Grade
II hamstring strain?
A. Immediate aggressive stretching
B. Rest, ice, compression, and gradual rehabilitation
C. Return to play immediately
D. Surgery
Moderate muscle strains require conservative management
including rest and progressive rehabilitation.
6. In a pre-participation physical, the primary purpose is:
A. Treating current injuries
B. Identifying risk factors for injury or illness
C. Prescribing medications
D. Conducting performance testing
Pre-participation exams screen athletes for conditions that may
predispose them to injury.
7. Which condition is characterized by inflammation of the patellar
tendon?
A. IT band syndrome
B. Patellar tendinitis (Jumper’s knee)
C. Meniscus tear
, D. Osgood-Schlatter disease
Patellar tendinitis involves overuse and repetitive strain on the
patellar tendon.
8. Which of the following is a sign of a concussion?
A. Swelling of the ankle
B. Loss of consciousness or confusion
C. Shoulder pain
D. Calf cramp
Concussion symptoms include neurological signs like confusion,
amnesia, or loss of consciousness.
9. Cryotherapy primarily works by:
A. Increasing tissue metabolism
B. Reducing inflammation and pain
C. Promoting vasodilation
D. Enhancing nerve conduction
Cold therapy reduces swelling and numbs pain by
vasoconstriction.
10. Which of the following best describes the normal range of
motion for shoulder abduction?
A. 0–90°
B. 0–120°
C. 0–180°
D. 0–60°
Normal shoulder abduction in a healthy adult is approximately
180 degrees.
11. Which of the following is the primary purpose of functional
testing in athletic rehabilitation?
A. Diagnosing fractures
B. Prescribing medications
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following best describes the primary role of an
athletic trainer?
A. Diagnosing fractures
B. Preventing and managing injuries in athletes
C. Prescribing medications
D. Performing surgery
Athletic trainers focus on injury prevention, emergency care, and
rehabilitation, not diagnosing or treating medical conditions
outside their scope.
2. When assessing an acute ankle sprain, the first step is:
A. Strength testing
B. Applying the RICE method
C. Functional testing
D. Return-to-play evaluation
Immediate management of acute soft tissue injuries involves Rest,
Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE).
3. Which ligament is most commonly injured in an inversion ankle
sprain?
A. Deltoid ligament
B. Posterior talofibular ligament
C. Anterior talofibular ligament
D. Calcaneofibular ligament
, The anterior talofibular ligament is most susceptible to inversion
injuries.
4. Heat stroke is characterized by:
A. Mild fatigue
B. Core temperature >104°F with CNS dysfunction
C. Excessive sweating and dehydration only
D. Muscle cramping
Heat stroke is life-threatening and involves hyperthermia with
central nervous system impairment.
5. Which of the following is an appropriate intervention for a Grade
II hamstring strain?
A. Immediate aggressive stretching
B. Rest, ice, compression, and gradual rehabilitation
C. Return to play immediately
D. Surgery
Moderate muscle strains require conservative management
including rest and progressive rehabilitation.
6. In a pre-participation physical, the primary purpose is:
A. Treating current injuries
B. Identifying risk factors for injury or illness
C. Prescribing medications
D. Conducting performance testing
Pre-participation exams screen athletes for conditions that may
predispose them to injury.
7. Which condition is characterized by inflammation of the patellar
tendon?
A. IT band syndrome
B. Patellar tendinitis (Jumper’s knee)
C. Meniscus tear
, D. Osgood-Schlatter disease
Patellar tendinitis involves overuse and repetitive strain on the
patellar tendon.
8. Which of the following is a sign of a concussion?
A. Swelling of the ankle
B. Loss of consciousness or confusion
C. Shoulder pain
D. Calf cramp
Concussion symptoms include neurological signs like confusion,
amnesia, or loss of consciousness.
9. Cryotherapy primarily works by:
A. Increasing tissue metabolism
B. Reducing inflammation and pain
C. Promoting vasodilation
D. Enhancing nerve conduction
Cold therapy reduces swelling and numbs pain by
vasoconstriction.
10. Which of the following best describes the normal range of
motion for shoulder abduction?
A. 0–90°
B. 0–120°
C. 0–180°
D. 0–60°
Normal shoulder abduction in a healthy adult is approximately
180 degrees.
11. Which of the following is the primary purpose of functional
testing in athletic rehabilitation?
A. Diagnosing fractures
B. Prescribing medications
