Sports Physicals Exam Questions and
Answers
Goal of sports physicals - correct answer-ensure safety, detect medical or MS
conditions, detect conditions that can lead to injury or sudden death, counsel on high
risk behaviors, establish chain of care
items included in the PPSPE per AHA - correct answer-1) ? re family hx, 2) ? re
exertional chest pain, 3) ? re exertional SOB, 4) exam pulses, 5) exam for murmurs, 6)
? re CVD 1st or 2nd deg family, 7) previous knowledge of murmurs, 8) parental consent,
9) exam for marfan's stigmata, 10) ? re excessive fatigue, 11) 12) ? re exertional
syncope, BP hx, 13) exam BP
Private office as setting for Sports physical - correct answer-Pros: Private, controlled,
access to records,
Cons: more expensive, less communication with athletic staff
Mass screening as setting for sports physical - correct answer-Pros: cost/time effective
(station based)
Cons: less privacy, loud, opportunity for dishonesty
Ideal timing for sports physical - correct answer-6-8 weeks prior to start of sport and
repeated annually
Areas on sports physical form - correct answer-history, exam, statement of clearance
importance of history in sports physical - correct answer-up to 75% of problematic
conditions can be revealed through a good history, aids in assessment of cardiac risk,
assess risk of pulmonary problems (asthma, etc.), review concussion hx, look for female
athlete triad, review for infections, burners/stingers
Female athlete triad - correct answer-amenorrhea, abnormal bone density, energy
imbalance
Grade 1 murmur - correct answer-barely audible
Grade 2 murmur - correct answer-clearly audible but faint
Grade 3 murmur - correct answer-moderately loud, easy to hear
grade 4 murmur - correct answer-loud with palpable thrill
Answers
Goal of sports physicals - correct answer-ensure safety, detect medical or MS
conditions, detect conditions that can lead to injury or sudden death, counsel on high
risk behaviors, establish chain of care
items included in the PPSPE per AHA - correct answer-1) ? re family hx, 2) ? re
exertional chest pain, 3) ? re exertional SOB, 4) exam pulses, 5) exam for murmurs, 6)
? re CVD 1st or 2nd deg family, 7) previous knowledge of murmurs, 8) parental consent,
9) exam for marfan's stigmata, 10) ? re excessive fatigue, 11) 12) ? re exertional
syncope, BP hx, 13) exam BP
Private office as setting for Sports physical - correct answer-Pros: Private, controlled,
access to records,
Cons: more expensive, less communication with athletic staff
Mass screening as setting for sports physical - correct answer-Pros: cost/time effective
(station based)
Cons: less privacy, loud, opportunity for dishonesty
Ideal timing for sports physical - correct answer-6-8 weeks prior to start of sport and
repeated annually
Areas on sports physical form - correct answer-history, exam, statement of clearance
importance of history in sports physical - correct answer-up to 75% of problematic
conditions can be revealed through a good history, aids in assessment of cardiac risk,
assess risk of pulmonary problems (asthma, etc.), review concussion hx, look for female
athlete triad, review for infections, burners/stingers
Female athlete triad - correct answer-amenorrhea, abnormal bone density, energy
imbalance
Grade 1 murmur - correct answer-barely audible
Grade 2 murmur - correct answer-clearly audible but faint
Grade 3 murmur - correct answer-moderately loud, easy to hear
grade 4 murmur - correct answer-loud with palpable thrill