List five common concussion signs or symptoms you should monitor on the sideline.

• A. Headache, confusion, amnesia, dizziness, nausea/vomiting, balance problems
• B. Dizziness, chest pain, leg numbness, fever
• C. Ringing in ears, blurred vision, coughing, rash
• D. Shortness of breath, jaw stiffness, fatigue

Answer: (A)

After a hit, the priority is recognizing signs that point to a possible concussion. The most consistent indicators are headache, confusion, amnesia, dizziness, nausea/vomiting, and balance problems. These cover both how the athlete feels and how they are functioning: headache and nausea are somatic symptoms; confusion and amnesia reflect altered brain function; dizziness and balance problems show vestibular or coordination disruption. If any of these signs appear, the athlete should be removed from play and evaluated by medical personnel as soon as possible. The other options mix symptoms that are not typically concussion-specific (like chest pain or fever) or include signs that aren’t reliable sideline indicators, so they’re not as useful for detecting concussion on the field. If there are red flags such as loss of consciousness or worsening symptoms, seek urgent medical care.