EMD - Emergency Medical Dispatch Resource Allocation and Prioritization Questions and Answers

Question 1

An EMD receives three calls in rapid succession: a 78-year-old female with chest pain and difficulty breathing, a 16-year-old male with a possible broken ankle from a skateboard fall, and a 45-year-old male reporting a minor cut on his finger.
According to MPDS principles of resource prioritization, which response determinant level would most likely be assigned to the chest pain call?

Accepted Answer

DELTA

Answer

ALPHA

Answer

BRAVO

Answer

OMEGA

Question 2

In the context of the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS), what is the primary purpose of assigning a specific determinant code (e.g., 12-D-1) to an emergency call?

Accepted Answer

To allow the local agency to assign a specific, predetermined response configuration based on the incident's acuity.

Answer

To provide a presumptive medical diagnosis for the responding crew.

Answer

To generate a statistical record for quality assurance and research purposes only.

Answer

To inform the caller of the exact type of ambulance and personnel being sent.

Question 3

A major highway pile-up involving multiple vehicles has been reported, and numerous calls are coming into the dispatch center. As an EMD, your primary role in resource allocation during the initial phase of this Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) is to:

Accepted Answer

Gather critical scene information, dispatch an initial appropriate response, and coordinate with command personnel.

Answer

Dispatch all available units to the scene immediately to ensure maximum resources are present.

Answer

Attempt to triage each individual patient over the phone using standard protocols.

Answer

Provide detailed post-dispatch instructions to every individual caller before dispatching any units.

Question 4

Which of the following MPDS response levels is designated for the most critical, time-sensitive incidents like an unconscious patient who is not breathing, often allowing for the dispatch of the absolute closest unit, even if it's a non-standard resource?

Accepted Answer

ECHO

Answer

CHARLIE

Answer

DELTA

Answer

ALPHA

Question 5

An EMD is handling a call for an 'Unknown Problem' where the caller is third-party and has limited information. The EMD is unable to determine if the patient is conscious or breathing. How should the EMD prioritize this call?

Accepted Answer

Assign a high-priority response based on the potential for a worst-case scenario.

Answer

Assign a low-priority ALPHA code because the problem is not confirmed.

Answer

Wait for a second call from the scene with more information before dispatching.

Answer

Code the call as OMEGA and refer it to a non-emergency line.

Question 6

The goal of a tiered response system, which is enabled by effective EMD prioritization, is to:

Accepted Answer

Reserve high-acuity resources for true emergencies while sending appropriate, often lower-level, resources to less critical calls.

Answer

Ensure that every call receives an Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance with lights and sirens.

Answer

Reduce dispatcher stress by simplifying the decision-making process.

Answer

Increase the number of ambulances housed in a specific jurisdiction.