Certified Brain Injury Specialist Practice Exam

After a service-member experiences mTBI, what factor should impact return to duty decisions?

1. Commander’s opinion alone

2. Presence of historical mTBI events

3. No mTBI symptoms after exertion

4. Peer endorsements

The correct answer is: No mTBI symptoms after exertion

The correct factor that should impact return to duty decisions after a service member experiences a mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) is the absence of mTBI symptoms after exertion. This consideration is crucial because resolution of symptoms indicates that the individual has recovered sufficiently to handle the demands of military duties. Monitoring the response to physical and cognitive exertion is a standard component of the return-to-duty evaluation process, as it helps ensure that the service member can safely resume their responsibilities without risking exacerbation of their condition. While the presence of historical mTBI events could have implications for the individual’s overall risk assessment, it is the current functional status and symptomology that play a more immediate role in determining readiness. A commander’s opinion alone, devoid of medical evidence, is insufficient to make a return-to-duty decision, as it must be guided by clinical assessments and the individual’s health status. Similarly, peer endorsements, while potentially influential in some contexts, should not override the importance of medically grounded decisions. Overall, the focus on symptom resolution following exertion provides a reliable metric for assessing an individual's capability to return to duty.