EMD - Emergency Medical Dispatch Obstetric and Pediatric Emergency Protocols Questions and Answers Flashcards

A mother calls reporting heavy bleeding immediately after delivering her baby. What priority level is this call?

Answer: High priority — postpartum hemorrhage is life-threatening

Postpartum hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal mortality and must be treated as an immediately life-threatening high-priority emergency.

A caller reports the baby was born inside the intact amniotic sac (en caul). What must the EMD instruct?

Answer: Carefully rupture the sac so the newborn can breathe

A baby born en caul cannot breathe through the intact amniotic sac; the EMD must instruct the caller to carefully rupture it immediately.

After ensuring dispatch for an unresponsive pediatric patient, what is the EMD's next action?

Answer: Instruct the caller to begin age-appropriate CPR immediately

An unresponsive child requires immediate CPR initiation, and the EMD must guide the caller through age-appropriate CPR instructions without delay.

A caller reports an 8-month-old with bluish skin color (cyanosis) who is not breathing normally. What does cyanosis indicate?

Answer: Inadequate oxygenation, a critical emergency

Cyanosis in an infant indicates hypoxia (dangerously low oxygen) and is a critical sign requiring the highest priority emergency response.

What is the correct technique for delivering rescue breaths to an infant during CPR?

Answer: Cover both the infant's mouth and nose with your mouth

Due to an infant's small facial size, rescuers cover both the mouth and nose with their mouth to deliver effective rescue breaths.

A caller reports her baby appears to be in a breech position during active labor. How should the EMD respond?

Answer: Dispatch at high priority immediately and provide pre-arrival instructions

Breech presentation is a serious obstetric emergency requiring immediate high-priority dispatch and pre-arrival instruction support.