Which tests are commonly used for concussion baseline assessment?

• A. X-ray
• B. Blood glucose
• C. SCAT5, SAC, BESS, symptom inventory; plus clinical history
• D. None

Answer: (C)

Baseline concussion assessment aims to capture a pre-injury reference across thinking, balance, symptoms, and medical history so you can compare after an injury. The commonly used battery combines SCAT5 with its components, including the Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC) cognitive screen, the balance assessment (BESS), symptom inventory, and clinical history. This mix covers how the brain should function before injury—cognition, memory, and concentration—along with balance and symptom patterns, plus previous concussion risk factors from history. X-ray isn’t a concussion baseline tool; it provides structural imaging to rule out fractures rather than measuring cognitive or balance function. Blood glucose testing also isn’t part of a standard concussion baseline because it doesn’t assess concussion-specific domains. Therefore, the SCAT5 suite with SAC, BESS, symptom inventory, and clinical history is the best-supported baseline approach.