911 Operator Test Medical Pre-Arrival Instructions and Emergency Medical Dispatch 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a caller reports that someone is unconscious and not breathing, what is the 911 operator's first action?
- Begin providing CPR instructions immediately (Correct answer)
- Dispatch EMS and then gather caller information
- Ask the caller to confirm the address before anything else
- Tell the caller to wait for EMS to arrive
Correct answer: Begin providing CPR instructions immediately
Life-saving pre-arrival instructions, including CPR guidance, should begin as soon as the nature of the emergency is clear to minimize time without intervention.
Question 2: When instructing a caller to perform adult CPR chest compressions, what is the correct rate the operator should communicate?
- 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 AHA guidelines specify a compression rate of 100–120 per minute for adult CPR, which 911 operators must accurately convey to callers.
Question 3: What does 'EMD' stand for in the context of 911 dispatch?
- Emergency Medical Department
- Emergency Medical Dispatch (Correct answer)
- Emergency Management Division
- Enhanced Medical Direction
Correct answer: Emergency Medical Dispatch
EMD stands for Emergency Medical Dispatch, the protocol-driven system 911 operators use to provide pre-arrival medical instructions.
Question 4: Which of the following is a primary purpose of pre-arrival medical instructions given by a 911 operator?
- To replace the need for paramedics in minor emergencies
- To document the incident for legal records
- To reduce patient harm while EMS is en route (Correct answer)
- To screen calls and decide if dispatch is necessary
Correct answer: To reduce patient harm while EMS is en route
Pre-arrival instructions are designed to minimize injury or death by guiding callers through life-saving steps until trained responders arrive.
Question 5: A caller says an adult is conscious but clutching their chest and sweating heavily. Which condition should the 911 operator prioritize preparing for?
- Stroke
- Diabetic emergency
- Cardiac arrest (Correct answer)
- Severe allergic reaction
Correct answer: Cardiac arrest
Chest pain with sweating (diaphoresis) are classic warning signs of a heart attack, which can quickly deteriorate into cardiac arrest, making it the top priority.
Question 6: When providing CPR instructions by phone, where on the sternum should the operator instruct the caller to place their hands?
- At the very top of the sternum (manubrium)
- On the lower half of the sternum, above the xiphoid process (Correct answer)
- Directly over the xiphoid process at the bottom tip
- On the left side of the chest directly over the heart
Correct answer: On the lower half of the sternum, above the xiphoid process
Compressions on the lower half of the sternum but above the xiphoid process maximize effectiveness while avoiding injury to the fragile tip.
Question 7: A 911 operator should obtain which piece of information as the absolute first priority when a medical call is received?
- The caller's name and callback number
- The exact location of the emergency (Correct answer)
- The patient's age and medical history
- Whether the patient has health insurance
Correct answer: The exact location of the emergency
The exact location of the emergency must be obtained first so EMS can be dispatched immediately, even if the call is later disconnected.
911 Operator Test Medical Pre-Arrival Instructions and Emergency Medical Dispatch 1
When a caller reports that someone is unconscious and not breathing, what is the 911 operator's first action?