EMD - Emergency Medical Dispatch Cardiovascular & Respiratory Protocols Questions and Answers

Question 1

A caller reports a 58-year-old male with a history of COPD is severely short of breath.
According to the MPDS Breathing Problems Protocol (Protocol 6), which of the following Key Questions is most critical for identifying an immediate, high-priority life threat?

Accepted Answer

Is he changing color?

Answer

Has he taken any medications for this?

Answer

How long has this been going on?

Answer

Does he have a fever?

Question 2

An EMD is handling a call for a 9-year-old child who is choking on food. The caller states the child is awake, coughing forcefully, and able to whisper. Based on the MPDS Choking Protocol (Protocol 11), what is the most appropriate Pre-Arrival Instruction?

Accepted Answer

Encourage the child to continue coughing.

Answer

Immediately begin abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver).

Answer

Lay the child on their back and start chest compressions.

Answer

Perform five back blows between the shoulder blades.

Question 3

A caller reports that a 45-year-old collapsed and is now making 'gasping' or 'snoring' sounds. How should the EMD interpret these sounds according to cardiac and respiratory arrest protocols?

Accepted Answer

As agonal respirations, treating the event as a cardiac arrest.

Answer

As a sign the patient is starting to wake up.

Answer

As effective, although noisy, breathing.

Answer

As normal breathing for an unconscious person.

Question 4

While using the Chest Pain Protocol (Protocol 10), the EMD is preparing to give instructions for aspirin administration. Which of the following patient statements represents a definitive contraindication for this instruction?

Accepted Answer

"I'm allergic to Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs."

Answer

"I took my daily blood pressure medicine this morning."

Answer

"The pain is really sharp, right in the center of my chest."

Answer

"I have a history of heartburn after I eat spicy food."

Question 5

When providing CPR instructions for an adult in cardiac arrest, what is the first physical action the EMD should instruct a layperson caller to perform after ensuring the patient is on their back on a hard surface?

Accepted Answer

Place the heel of one hand in the center of the chest and push hard.

Answer

Give two slow rescue breaths.

Answer

Check for a carotid pulse for at least 15 seconds.

Answer

Slightly elevate the patient's legs to improve blood flow.

Question 6

Within the MPDS Chest Pain Protocol (Protocol 10), what is the primary purpose of asking if the pain is described as 'sharp' or gets worse with a deep breath?

Accepted Answer

To help differentiate cardiac pain from pleuritic or musculoskeletal pain.

Answer

To confirm the patient is having a heart attack.

Answer

To determine if the patient has a history of asthma.

Answer

To decide if the patient needs oxygen immediately.