Prioritization and Dispatch Flashcards

A caller reports a child who has stopped breathing after swallowing a small object. Which two protocols would the dispatcher most likely cross-reference?

Answer: Breathing Problems and Choking

A child with absent or obstructed breathing from a foreign body requires cross-referencing the Breathing Problems protocol and the Choking protocol for appropriate instructions.

During a cardiac arrest call, the dispatcher determines the patient is in ventricular fibrillation via AED. What pre-arrival instruction should be given immediately?

Answer: Instruct the caller to continue CPR until AED advises a shock

Dispatchers instruct callers to follow AED voice prompts and resume CPR immediately after each shock until EMS arrives.

A dispatcher receives a call about a patient with a known DNR order who is in cardiac arrest. The caller is requesting an ambulance. What should the dispatcher do?

Answer: Dispatch per protocol and advise units of the DNR status; do not withhold response

Dispatchers must send help and notify responding crews of DNR documentation; the dispatcher does not unilaterally withhold a response based on a caller's verbal report.

Which of the following best describes the purpose of MPDS Case Entry Protocol (Protocol 1)?

Answer: To standardize the collection of address, callback number, and chief complaint before protocol selection

Protocol 1 (Case Entry) ensures consistent collection of location, callback number, and chief complaint as the universal first step for every call.

A caller reports a psychiatric patient who has barricaded themselves and is threatening self-harm. Which agencies should the EMD typically coordinate?

Answer: EMS and law enforcement, given the threat of violence and self-harm

Psychiatric emergencies with threats of self-harm require coordinated EMS and law enforcement response for both patient safety and responder safety.

In EMD, a 'caller-initiated downgrade' occurs when the caller states the patient is now fine. The dispatcher should:

Answer: Continue to follow protocol and consult local guidelines before downgrading or canceling

Caller-initiated downgrades must be evaluated against protocol and local medical oversight policy; the dispatcher cannot unilaterally cancel without following the appropriate steps.

Which of the following is an example of a 'determinant modifier' in MPDS?

Answer: A letter suffix such as 'E' for patient not alert

Determinant modifiers (letter suffixes like C, D, E) refine the base protocol code to reflect specific patient status details such as consciousness level.