Organization and Administration practice questions

Answer: B) A waiver gives up the right to bring certain claims; informed consent records that risks were explained

A liability waiver is a release in which the participant gives up the right to bring certain claims. Informed consent documents that the participant was told the risks and chose to take part. They are separate documents, and neither removes the professional's duty of care.

• AIncorrect. This reverses the purposes. Releasing claims is the job of a waiver, and medical clearance belongs to pre-participation screening, not a waiver.
• BCorrect. A waiver (release) is an agreement to give up the right to sue over certain claims. Informed consent shows the participant was told about the activity's risks and agreed to take part. How far a waiver protects against negligence depends on the jurisdiction.
• CIncorrect. No document removes the professional's duty to supervise and instruct properly. Training history is collected during screening and intake, not through informed consent.
• DIncorrect. NSCA recommends protective legal documents covering all athletically related activities. Neither document is limited to minors or to one kind of equipment.

Answer: D) 1 coach per 15 athletes

• AIncorrect. That's too many.
• BIncorrect. That's far too many.
• CIncorrect. Supervision is required.
• DCorrect. Ratios vary by age and setting.

Answer: B) A qualified health care provider, preferably a licensed physician, who can examine the athlete and take a cardiovascular history

A qualified health care provider, preferably a licensed physician, should do preparticipation screening and medical clearance. Coach-run tests and self-report forms are not enough on their own.

• AIncorrect. Movement screens and performance tests can help with program design, but they are not medical screening and do not give medical clearance.
• BCorrect. NSCA guidance says a qualified health care provider should do preparticipation screening: someone able to do a physical exam, take a detailed cardiovascular history and recognize heart disease. A licensed physician is preferred.
• CIncorrect. A questionnaire can be part of the process, but on its own it does not replace screening and clearance by a qualified health care provider.
• DIncorrect. Sport coaches do not have the medical training to examine athletes or clear them to participate.

Answer: B) About 60% or lower

• AIncorrect. That's too humid.
• BCorrect. Higher humidity can be uncomfortable and promote mold.
• CIncorrect. That's too dry.
• DIncorrect. It matters.

Answer: A) Require athletes to return plates and bars to their storage racks right after each use

NSCA's facility safety checklist says plates, bars and other equipment should be returned to storage after each use so the training floor stays free of clutter and trip hazards.

• ACorrect. The NSCA safety checklist says all equipment should be returned after use to avoid floor clutter, which is a trip and fall hazard.
• BIncorrect. Leaned plates can tip or roll and are still off their storage racks. The checklist calls for returning equipment to where it belongs.
• CIncorrect. Cleaning up only at the end of the day leaves the floor cluttered during training, when the trip hazard actually exists. Equipment should be returned after each use.
• DIncorrect. Plates stacked at the platform edge are still floor clutter in the lifting area and can interfere with lifts or cause trips.

Answer: D) Refer the athlete to a registered dietitian

• AIncorrect. Refer appropriately.
• BIncorrect. That's outside scope.
• CIncorrect. That could be dangerous.
• DCorrect. Medical nutrition therapy is outside scope.

Answer: A) Post the rules and emergency procedures in the facility before any activity and hold an orientation on them for new and returning athletes

NSCA guidance calls for posting weight room rules and emergency procedures before any activity and holding a yearly orientation on them for all new and returning participants, so the rules are applied consistently.

• ACorrect. NSCA guidance says weight room rules and emergency procedures should be posted before any activity, with a yearly orientation for both new and returning participants that covers the rules, risks, spotting and emergency procedures.
• BIncorrect. The orientation should be held each year for both new and returning participants, not only first-year athletes.
• CIncorrect. Rules and emergency procedures should be posted in the facility where users can see them, not kept in an office.
• DIncorrect. The rules should be posted before any activity starts, not added after problems appear.

Answer: D) 3 feet

• AIncorrect. Space is needed.
• BIncorrect. That's too tight.
• CIncorrect. That's more than needed.
• DCorrect. For safe movement and spotting.

Answer: B) About 3 feet

• AIncorrect. That's too close.
• BCorrect. This reduces collision risk.
• CIncorrect. Space is needed.
• DIncorrect. That's more than needed.

Answer: C) A wall-mounted phone on the weight room floor that can dial campus police and 911 directly

Under NSCA's emergency planning standard, a working telephone must be readily accessible and immediately available to summon both on-premise and off-premise emergency help. A phone on the training floor that can reach campus responders and 911 meets that requirement.

• AIncorrect. During after-hours sessions the phone is behind a locked door, so it is not readily accessible or immediately available to the staff supervising the floor.
• BIncorrect. The phone works and can reach outside help, but a phone several minutes away is not immediately available. Delays in calling for help during an emergency can be critical.
• CCorrect. NSCA standards require a readily accessible, working telephone that is immediately available to summon both on-premise (campus) and off-premise (EMS) emergency responders. A phone on the training floor that reaches both meets this requirement.
• DIncorrect. The intercom is close by, but it reaches only on-premise staff. The standard requires a way to summon off-premise emergency services such as EMS as well.