EMD Dispatch Life Support Instructions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When providing telephone CPR instructions, the dispatcher should direct the caller to compress the adult chest at what rate?
- 60-80 compressions per minute
- 80-100 compressions per minute
- 100-120 compressions per minute (Correct answer)
- 120-140 compressions per minute
Correct answer: 100-120 compressions per minute
Current guidelines specify 100-120 chest compressions per minute for effective CPR in adults.
Question 2: A caller reports their child swallowed a small object and is now silent with a blue tinge around the lips. The dispatcher should first instruct the caller to:
- Perform 5 back blows followed by 5 chest thrusts (Correct answer)
- Begin abdominal thrusts immediately
- Lay the child flat and start CPR
- Have the child drink water to dislodge the object
Correct answer: Perform 5 back blows followed by 5 chest thrusts
For a severe infant or child choking victim who loses effective breathing, the dispatcher directs 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts (not abdominal thrusts for infants).
Question 3: Which Dispatch Life Support instruction is most appropriate when a caller reports a patient who is unconscious and not breathing normally?
- Instruct caller to place patient in recovery position and monitor
- Instruct caller to begin CPR compression-only protocol (Correct answer)
- Advise caller to wait for EMS to arrive before touching the patient
- Direct caller to administer rescue breaths only
Correct answer: Instruct caller to begin CPR compression-only protocol
An unconscious, apneic (not breathing normally) adult patient requires immediate compression-only CPR instructions until EMS arrives.
Question 4: A caller states their pregnant wife is fully crowning and delivery is imminent. After guiding delivery of the head, the dispatcher should next instruct the caller to:
- Pull the baby firmly downward to deliver the shoulders
- Check if the umbilical cord is wrapped around the baby's neck (Correct answer)
- Cut the umbilical cord immediately with scissors
- Turn the mother onto her back and stop her from pushing
Correct answer: Check if the umbilical cord is wrapped around the baby's neck
After the head delivers, check for nuchal cord (cord around the neck) before proceeding with shoulder delivery.
Question 5: When instructing a caller on bleeding control for a severe extremity wound, what should the dispatcher direct first?
- Apply a tourniquet two inches above the wound
- Apply firm, direct pressure with the cleanest material available (Correct answer)
- Elevate the limb and apply ice
- Rinse the wound with water before covering it
Correct answer: Apply firm, direct pressure with the cleanest material available
Direct pressure is the first-line intervention for severe bleeding before considering tourniquet application.
Question 6: A caller says a patient had a seizure and is now breathing but unconscious. After confirming the seizure has stopped, the dispatcher should instruct the caller to:
- Hold the patient's tongue to prevent swallowing
- Place the patient in the recovery (lateral) position (Correct answer)
- Begin CPR immediately
- Give the patient water to drink when they wake up
Correct answer: Place the patient in the recovery (lateral) position
The recovery position protects the airway from aspiration in a post-ictal patient who is breathing but unconscious.
Question 7: During a DLS call for a suspected stroke, which instruction set should the dispatcher provide to the caller?
- Give the patient aspirin and have them lie down
- Keep the patient calm, do not give food or water, note symptom onset time (Correct answer)
- Have the patient walk slowly to test balance
- Apply cold compresses to the head and elevate legs
Correct answer: Keep the patient calm, do not give food or water, note symptom onset time
For stroke patients, dispatchers instruct callers to keep the patient calm, avoid oral intake, and note the exact time symptoms began — critical for treatment decisions.
