EMD - Emergency Medical Dispatch Trauma and Injury Scenarios Questions and Answers

Question 1

A caller reports a 45-year-old construction worker has fallen. Which piece of information is most critical for the EMD to obtain to accurately determine the potential for life-threatening injuries?

Accepted Answer

The height from which the patient fell.

Answer

Whether the patient was wearing a helmet.

Answer

If the patient has any obvious broken bones.

Answer

The time the fall occurred.

Question 2

A caller states their spouse has been burned by boiling water on the chest and abdomen. The patient is awake and in severe pain. After dispatching the appropriate response, what is the MOST appropriate Post-Dispatch Instruction (PDI) for the EMD to provide?

Accepted Answer

Cover the burn with a clean, dry dressing or sheet.

Answer

Apply ice packs directly to the burned area.

Answer

Apply butter or ointment to soothe the pain.

Answer

Have the patient drink plenty of cold water immediately.

Question 3

Which of the following is the most critical Pre-Arrival Instruction for a patient with an object impaled in their chest?

Accepted Answer

Do not remove the object; stabilize it in place.

Answer

Push the object further in to stop any bleeding.

Answer

Carefully attempt to remove the object if it is small.

Answer

Periodically wiggle the object to check for bleeding.

Question 4

An EMD is handling a call for a 30-year-old male whose hand was severed in a factory accident. The caller has successfully controlled the bleeding from the arm using direct pressure as instructed. What is the next critical instruction regarding the amputated part?

Accepted Answer

Wrap the hand in a moist sterile dressing, place it in a sealed bag, and put the bag in cool water.

Answer

Place the hand directly into a container of ice water.

Answer

Wash the hand thoroughly with soap and water before wrapping it.

Answer

Discard the amputated part as it cannot be reattached.

Question 5

When assessing a patient who has been struck in the head, which of the following signs or symptoms reported by a caller would be the STRONGEST indicator of a potentially life-threatening brain injury?

Accepted Answer

The patient is confused or not acting normally.

Answer

A large scalp laceration with moderate bleeding.

Answer

A severe headache at the site of impact.

Answer

The patient feels nauseous but has not vomited.

Question 6

A caller reports a two-car collision. The caller is with two patients: Patient A is a 30-year-old male who is unconscious and making snoring sounds. Patient B is a 25-year-old female who is crying, reporting severe leg pain, and has an obvious deformity to her thigh. Based on DLS principles, which patient should the EMD provide instructions for first?

Accepted Answer

Patient A, because his airway is compromised.

Answer

Patient B, because a femur fracture can be life-threatening.

Answer

Address both patients simultaneously by alternating instructions.

Answer

Patient B, because she is awake and can follow commands.