EMD Cardiovascular & Respiratory Protocols 3

Question 1

An EMD dispatcher receives a call about a patient on beta-blocker medication having chest pain with a heart rate of 48. This heart rate is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Bradycardia that may be medication-related

Answer

Tachycardia requiring immediate defibrillation

Answer

Normal sinus rhythm for an adult at rest

Answer

Pulseless electrical activity

Question 2

During a telephone-assisted CPR call, the caller says the patient 'took a breath.' The EMD should instruct the caller to:

Accepted Answer

Continue compressions unless the patient is fully conscious and breathing normally

Answer

Stop compressions immediately and monitor the patient

Answer

Switch to rescue breathing only for 2 minutes

Answer

Check for a pulse before deciding whether to continue

Question 3

A caller reports that a 70-year-old woman is having difficulty breathing and her lips are turning blue. The blue discoloration is called:

Accepted Answer

Cyanosis

Answer

Pallor

Answer

Diaphoresis

Answer

Mottling

Question 4

In MPDS Protocol 11 (Choking), an adult patient who can speak in full sentences should be classified as:

Accepted Answer

Partial airway obstruction — monitor and send appropriate response

Answer

Complete airway obstruction requiring immediate Heimlich maneuver instructions

Answer

Full cardiac arrest — begin CPR instructions

Answer

Anaphylaxis — ask about allergen exposure

Question 5

Which EMD protocol key question best identifies a patient experiencing acute pulmonary edema?

Accepted Answer

Is the patient coughing up pink or frothy sputum?

Answer

Does the patient have a fever above 101°F?

Answer

Is the patient experiencing left-sided chest pain?

Answer

Did the breathing problem begin after eating?

Question 6

When a caller cannot determine if a patient is breathing, the EMD should instruct them to look for all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Capillary refill time greater than 2 seconds

Answer

Chest rise and fall

Answer

Air movement felt on the cheek

Answer

Skin color changes

Question 7

A caller reports a patient with known COPD who is breathing but using accessory muscles and tripod positioning. This posture indicates:

Accepted Answer

Severe respiratory distress with maximized breathing effort

Answer

The patient is relaxed and resting comfortably

Answer

The patient is preparing to lose consciousness

Answer

Normal compensatory breathing for COPD patients