Which statement describes concussion care for a child?

Which statement describes concussion care for a child?

• A. The child should resume activity as soon as symptoms wane.
• B. The child should only be seen if symptoms persist for several days.
• C. The child should stop all activity and ensure 9-1-1 is called.
• D. The child should drink water and continue playing.

Answer: (C)

When a child may have a concussion, protect the brain by stopping all activity immediately and seeking urgent medical evaluation. A concussion is a brain injury, and continuing activity can trigger a second injury or worsen symptoms. Children may not report how they feel right away, and symptoms can develop or worsen after the initial moment, so prompt assessment is important. In a lifeguarding context, that means removing the child from play, monitoring for red-flag signs (such as loss of consciousness, confusion, vomiting, severe headache), and calling emergency services if there are any concerning signs or if you’re unsure about the severity. This approach minimizes risk and ensures professional evaluation before the child can return to activity. The other options either encourage returning to play too soon or delay medical care, which can lead to serious harm.

When a child may have a concussion, protect the brain by stopping all activity immediately and seeking urgent medical evaluation. A concussion is a brain injury, and continuing activity can trigger a second injury or worsen symptoms. Children may not report how they feel right away, and symptoms can develop or worsen after the initial moment, so prompt assessment is important. In a lifeguarding context, that means removing the child from play, monitoring for red-flag signs (such as loss of consciousness, confusion, vomiting, severe headache), and calling emergency services if there are any concerning signs or if you’re unsure about the severity. This approach minimizes risk and ensures professional evaluation before the child can return to activity. The other options either encourage returning to play too soon or delay medical care, which can lead to serious harm.