EMD - Emergency Medical Dispatch Chief Complaint Protocol Usage Questions and Answers

Question 1

A caller reports their elderly neighbor feels 'unwell' and has a history of 'everything'.
After Case Entry questions, the patient is conscious and breathing.
The EMD cannot elicit a specific priority symptom.
Which Chief Complaint Protocol is most appropriate to select initially?

Accepted Answer

Protocol 26: Sick Person

Answer

Protocol 32: Unknown Problem (Person Down)

Answer

Protocol 10: Chest Pain

Answer

Protocol 6: Breathing Problems

Question 2

While using Protocol 26: Sick Person, the EMD asks if the patient has any pain. The caller replies, 'Yes, he's saying his head is pounding.' According to MPDS rules, what is the correct action for the EMD to take?

Accepted Answer

Remain on Protocol 26 and continue interrogation

Answer

Shunt to Protocol 18: Headache

Answer

Immediately dispatch as a stroke and provide pre-arrival instructions

Answer

Place the caller on hold and consult with a supervisor

Question 3

An EMD is handling a call using a scripted protocol. The caller becomes agitated and says, 'Just send the ambulance! Why are you asking so many questions?' Which of the following is the most professional and compliant action for the EMD?

Accepted Answer

Use a scripted reassuring phrase and continue with the required protocol questions.

Answer

Stop asking questions and immediately dispatch a unit.

Answer

Explain that the questions are required by law before help can be sent.

Answer

Transfer the call to a supervisor to de-escalate the situation.

Question 4

The primary purpose of Dispatch Life Support (DLS) instructions, such as Pre-Arrival and Post-Dispatch Instructions, is to:

Accepted Answer

provide callers with simple, scripted instructions to help the patient and prepare for responders' arrival.

Answer

diagnose the patient's exact medical condition for responders.

Answer

provide the caller with a specific time of ambulance arrival.

Answer

gather insurance and billing information for the hospital.

Question 5

A caller reports a person is 'down' in a park, but the caller is across the street and has no further information. The patient is not with or near the caller. Which protocol is specifically designed for this 'third-party caller' scenario with limited information?

Accepted Answer

Protocol 32: Unknown Problem (Person Down)

Answer

Protocol 26: Sick Person

Answer

Protocol 17: Falls

Answer

Protocol 31: Unconscious / Fainting (Near)

Question 6

Which of the following scenarios BEST illustrates a compliant 'shunt' from one Chief Complaint Protocol to another?

Accepted Answer

While on the Sick Person Protocol, the caller states the patient is now complaining of severe, crushing chest pain, so the EMD switches to the Chest Pain Protocol.

Answer

While on the Falls Protocol, the caller mentions the patient has a history of seizures, so the EMD switches to the Seizures Protocol.

Answer

During the Abdominal Pain Protocol, the caller answers 'yes' to the question about black or bloody stools, so the EMD switches to the Hemorrhage Protocol.

Answer

During the Headache Protocol, the caller says the patient also feels nauseous, so the EMD switches to the Sick Person Protocol.