911 Operator Test Medical Pre-Arrival Instructions and Emergency Medical Dispatch 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A caller reports that someone is showing sudden facial drooping on one side, arm weakness, and slurred speech. What condition should the 911 operator suspect?
- Hypoglycemia
- Stroke (Correct answer)
- Cardiac arrest
- Severe asthma attack
Correct answer: Stroke
Facial drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulty are the hallmark signs of a stroke, remembered by the acronym FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time).
Question 2: When providing instructions for a conscious adult who is severely choking and cannot cough, speak, or breathe, what should the 911 operator instruct?
- Perform back blows only until the obstruction clears
- Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) (Correct answer)
- Lay the person flat and begin CPR immediately
- Tell the caller to wait for paramedics to arrive
Correct answer: Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
For a conscious adult with a complete airway obstruction, abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) are the recommended first intervention.
Question 3: A caller reports an infant under one year old appears unconscious and is not breathing. How should the operator's CPR instructions differ from adult CPR?
- Use only one finger for compressions and give no rescue breaths
- Use two fingers for compressions and give small gentle puffs of air (Correct answer)
- Use full hands and the same compression ratio as adult CPR
- Instruct the caller to perform compressions only, no breaths for infants
Correct answer: Use two fingers for compressions and give small gentle puffs of air
For infants, operators should instruct two-finger compressions and small puffs of air to account for the infant's smaller size and lung capacity.
Question 4: What should a 911 operator do if a medical emergency caller becomes hysterical and cannot follow instructions?
- Hang up and wait for the caller to call back when calmer
- Transfer the call to a supervisor immediately
- Use a calm, firm voice to redirect the caller with simple, short commands (Correct answer)
- Tell the caller their behavior is preventing help from being provided
Correct answer: Use a calm, firm voice to redirect the caller with simple, short commands
A calm, authoritative tone with clear, brief commands is proven to help agitated callers focus and comply with life-saving instructions.
Question 5: A caller reports finding someone unresponsive and suspects an opioid overdose. While awaiting EMS, what should the 911 operator advise if naloxone (Narcan) is available on scene?
- Wait for EMS to administer it to avoid any liability
- Administer it per directions if the caller knows how, and continue rescue breathing if needed (Correct answer)
- Only administer it if the person is still breathing
- Give a double dose immediately to ensure effectiveness
Correct answer: Administer it per directions if the caller knows how, and continue rescue breathing if needed
If naloxone is available and the caller knows how to use it, operators should encourage its use along with rescue breathing to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression.
Question 6: When a caller reports severe, uncontrolled bleeding, what is the first pre-arrival instruction a 911 operator should give?
- Apply ice to the wound to slow blood flow
- Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound (Correct answer)
- Elevate the limb and give the person water to drink
- Loosen all clothing around the wound site
Correct answer: Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound
Direct, firm pressure is the most effective first-line method to control bleeding while waiting for EMS.
Question 7: A caller believes someone is having a diabetic emergency and the person is still conscious and able to swallow. What pre-arrival instruction is most appropriate?
- Have the person lie flat and avoid all food and drink
- Offer a sugary drink or food if the person can swallow safely (Correct answer)
- Administer insulin if it is available nearby
- Instruct the caller to induce vomiting to clear any obstruction
Correct answer: Offer a sugary drink or food if the person can swallow safely
If the patient is conscious and able to swallow, providing sugar (juice, candy) can raise low blood glucose quickly and prevent further deterioration.
911 Operator Test Medical Pre-Arrival Instructions and Emergency Medical Dispatch 2
A caller reports that someone is showing sudden facial drooping on one side, arm weakness, and slurred speech.
What condition should the 911 operator suspect?