NHS PATHWAYS 111 CLINICAL
REVISION SPECIALIST QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. What is the primary function of the NHS Pathways Clinical Decision Support System
(CDSS)?
A. To diagnose medical conditions using artificial intelligence
B. To automate the dispatch of ambulances without human intervention
C. To act as a digital encyclopedia for health advisors
D. To triage patients to the most appropriate level of care based on symptoms
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: NHS Pathways is a triage tool, not a diagnostic one; it directs
patients to the correct level of care based on reported symptoms.
2. In NHS Pathways logic, which disposition code typically refers to ‘Emergency Department -
attend within 1 hour’?
A. Dx01
B. Dx05
,C. Dx02
D. Dx08
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Dx05 is the specific disposition code for a 1-hour A&E
attendance requirement.
3. Which symptom is considered a ‘Red Flag’ for Sepsis in the NHS Pathways assessment for
adults?
A. A mild cough for more than three days
B. New onset of confusion or disorientation
C. Localised swelling around a small cut
D. Temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: New confusion or altered mental state is a high-risk red flag for
sepsis in the Pathways assessment.
4. When a call is transferred to a Clinical Advisor, what is their primary role regarding the
triage?
A. To validate or override the disposition based on clinical judgment
B. To restart the triage from the beginning
C. To book an appointment at the patient’s local GP surgery only
, D. To provide health information only without using the system
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Clinical Advisors use their professional judgment to validate or
potentially downgrade/upgrade the initial disposition reached by a health advisor.
5. What is the ‘Rule of Priority’ in NHS Pathways triage?
A. Dealing with the most chronologically old symptom first
B. Allowing the patient to choose which symptom is most important
C. Always triaging the patient’s primary complaint first
D. Prioritising symptoms that have a higher risk of immediate life threat
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Pathways is designed to identify life threats first; therefore, the
most dangerous symptoms are prioritised even if they are not the caller’s main concern.
6. Which of the following represents a ‘P1’ disposition in the ambulance priority categories?
A. Life-threatening condition requiring immediate intervention
B. Urgent condition requiring a 18-minute response
C. Non-urgent condition requiring a 40-minute response
D. A condition requiring a telephone assessment within 60 minutes
Answer: A
REVISION SPECIALIST QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. What is the primary function of the NHS Pathways Clinical Decision Support System
(CDSS)?
A. To diagnose medical conditions using artificial intelligence
B. To automate the dispatch of ambulances without human intervention
C. To act as a digital encyclopedia for health advisors
D. To triage patients to the most appropriate level of care based on symptoms
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: NHS Pathways is a triage tool, not a diagnostic one; it directs
patients to the correct level of care based on reported symptoms.
2. In NHS Pathways logic, which disposition code typically refers to ‘Emergency Department -
attend within 1 hour’?
A. Dx01
B. Dx05
,C. Dx02
D. Dx08
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Dx05 is the specific disposition code for a 1-hour A&E
attendance requirement.
3. Which symptom is considered a ‘Red Flag’ for Sepsis in the NHS Pathways assessment for
adults?
A. A mild cough for more than three days
B. New onset of confusion or disorientation
C. Localised swelling around a small cut
D. Temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: New confusion or altered mental state is a high-risk red flag for
sepsis in the Pathways assessment.
4. When a call is transferred to a Clinical Advisor, what is their primary role regarding the
triage?
A. To validate or override the disposition based on clinical judgment
B. To restart the triage from the beginning
C. To book an appointment at the patient’s local GP surgery only
, D. To provide health information only without using the system
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Clinical Advisors use their professional judgment to validate or
potentially downgrade/upgrade the initial disposition reached by a health advisor.
5. What is the ‘Rule of Priority’ in NHS Pathways triage?
A. Dealing with the most chronologically old symptom first
B. Allowing the patient to choose which symptom is most important
C. Always triaging the patient’s primary complaint first
D. Prioritising symptoms that have a higher risk of immediate life threat
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Pathways is designed to identify life threats first; therefore, the
most dangerous symptoms are prioritised even if they are not the caller’s main concern.
6. Which of the following represents a ‘P1’ disposition in the ambulance priority categories?
A. Life-threatening condition requiring immediate intervention
B. Urgent condition requiring a 18-minute response
C. Non-urgent condition requiring a 40-minute response
D. A condition requiring a telephone assessment within 60 minutes
Answer: A
