Whatcom County EMS Protocols With
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary source of authorization for EMS personnel to
provide prehospital medical care in Whatcom County?
A. The receiving hospital nurse
B. The State-approved Medical Program Director (MPD)
C. The county sheriff
D. The patient's primary physician
Correct Answer: B. The State-approved Medical Program Director (MPD)
Rationale: Whatcom County protocols state that authorization for EMS
personnel to provide prehospital medical care comes directly from the
State-approved MPD.
,2. What is the primary responsibility of an EMS provider?
A. Protecting the ambulance
B. Completing documentation
C. Providing care for the patient
D. Following family requests
Correct Answer: C. Providing care for the patient
Rationale: The protocols identify the patient's welfare as the EMS
provider's primary responsibility.
3. Whatcom County EMS personnel are required to use protocols
appropriate to their:
A. Agency size
B. Certification level
C. Years of employment
D. Ambulance type
,Correct Answer: B. Certification level
Rationale: Providers must function within the protocols appropriate to
their certification level.
4. What should an EMS provider do if uncertain whether a patient's
situation meets protocol criteria?
A. Ignore the situation
B. Wait until arrival at the hospital
C. Contact Medical Control for guidance
D. Ask a bystander to decide
Correct Answer: C. Contact Medical Control for guidance
Rationale: Medical Control may provide guidance or authorization
when the provider is uncertain.
5. In Whatcom County, daily authorization for prehospital decision-
making is delegated to:
, A. The fire chief
B. The ED physician serving as Medical Control
C. The ambulance driver
D. The receiving hospital pharmacist
Correct Answer: B. The ED physician serving as Medical Control
Rationale: The protocol identifies the on-duty Emergency Department
physician at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center as Medical Control.
6. Which device is identified as the standard supraglottic airway in
Whatcom County?
A. King LT
B. Combitube
C. I-gel
D. LMA Classic
Correct Answer: C. I-gel
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary source of authorization for EMS personnel to
provide prehospital medical care in Whatcom County?
A. The receiving hospital nurse
B. The State-approved Medical Program Director (MPD)
C. The county sheriff
D. The patient's primary physician
Correct Answer: B. The State-approved Medical Program Director (MPD)
Rationale: Whatcom County protocols state that authorization for EMS
personnel to provide prehospital medical care comes directly from the
State-approved MPD.
,2. What is the primary responsibility of an EMS provider?
A. Protecting the ambulance
B. Completing documentation
C. Providing care for the patient
D. Following family requests
Correct Answer: C. Providing care for the patient
Rationale: The protocols identify the patient's welfare as the EMS
provider's primary responsibility.
3. Whatcom County EMS personnel are required to use protocols
appropriate to their:
A. Agency size
B. Certification level
C. Years of employment
D. Ambulance type
,Correct Answer: B. Certification level
Rationale: Providers must function within the protocols appropriate to
their certification level.
4. What should an EMS provider do if uncertain whether a patient's
situation meets protocol criteria?
A. Ignore the situation
B. Wait until arrival at the hospital
C. Contact Medical Control for guidance
D. Ask a bystander to decide
Correct Answer: C. Contact Medical Control for guidance
Rationale: Medical Control may provide guidance or authorization
when the provider is uncertain.
5. In Whatcom County, daily authorization for prehospital decision-
making is delegated to:
, A. The fire chief
B. The ED physician serving as Medical Control
C. The ambulance driver
D. The receiving hospital pharmacist
Correct Answer: B. The ED physician serving as Medical Control
Rationale: The protocol identifies the on-duty Emergency Department
physician at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center as Medical Control.
6. Which device is identified as the standard supraglottic airway in
Whatcom County?
A. King LT
B. Combitube
C. I-gel
D. LMA Classic
Correct Answer: C. I-gel
