APCO EMD REVIEW ｜ Actual Questions
and Answers Latest Updated 2026Γêò2027
(Graded A+
Section 1: Foundations of Emergency Medical Dispatch
1. The acronym “EMD” stands for:
A) Emergency Medical Doctor
B) Emergency Medical Dispatch
C) Emergency Medical Director
D) Emergency Medical Driver
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: EMD stands for Emergency Medical Dispatch. EMDs are
specially trained telecommunicators who process medical emergency calls,
dispatch appropriate resources, and provide pre-arrival instructions to callers. The
other options are distractors that do not reflect the standard APCO terminology.
2. The primary objective of EMD is __________, and NOT __________.
A) Obtaining information through vital point questions and giving appropriate
pre-arrival instructions; giving training in the use of handling center equipment
B) Dispatching resources as quickly as possible; providing medical advice
C) Getting off the phone quickly; asking too many questions
D) Following protocols; using common sense
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The core objective of EMD is obtaining information via vital
point questions and delivering appropriate pre-arrival instructions. Training in
equipment handling is an EMD function but not the core objective. EMDs do not
diagnose medical conditions; they follow structured protocols to determine
response priority and provide scripted instructions.
,3. EMDs operate in a(n) ______ environment.
A) Controlled
B) Blind
C) Direct
D) Supervised
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: EMDs operate in a “blind” environment, meaning they cannot
see the patient or scene directly. They must rely entirely on information provided
by callers, who may be panicked, injured, or have limited medical knowledge.
4. Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of an EMD?
A) Obtaining sufficient and accurate information from callers
B) Diagnosing the medical or traumatic condition for responders
C) Coordinating and dispatching EMS resources
D) Providing pre-arrival instructions as locally approved
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: EMDs do NOT diagnose medical or traumatic conditions. Their
role is to gather information, determine the nature and severity of the incident,
dispatch appropriate resources, and provide scripted pre-arrival instructions.
Diagnosis is the responsibility of field EMS personnel and physicians.
5. What is a prerequisite for the APCO EMD course?
A) High school diploma
B) Current and valid CPR certification
C) One year of dispatch experience
D) Completion of EMT training
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: A current and valid CPR certification is a prerequisite for the
APCO EMD course. This ensures that the dispatcher understands the
fundamentals of CPR and can provide effective telephone CPR instructions.
6. The APCO Institute EMD course was designed to ensure you will be able to do
all of the following EXCEPT:
A) State and identify the roles and responsibilities of an EMD
B) Obtain sufficient and accurate information from callers to dispatch resources
C) Provide direct medical treatment to patients
D) Give appropriate pre-arrival instructions to callers as locally approved
guidecards indicate
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: EMDs provide pre-arrival instructions over the phone but do
not provide direct hands-on medical treatment to patients. That is the role of field
EMS personnel. The other options are core EMD functions.
7. The “Chain of Survival” as standardized by the AHA/IAED includes all of the
following EXCEPT:
A) Recognition and response activation
B) Early CPR
C) Rapid defibrillation
D) Scene safety assessment
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The six links of the Chain of Survival are: recognition and
response activation, early CPR, rapid defibrillation, advanced resuscitation, post-
cardiac arrest care, and recovery. Scene safety is an important consideration but
is not one of the six Chain of Survival links.
8. In the EMS system, where does the EMD fit most accurately?
, A) Directly after the ambulance arrives on scene
B) Between the 911 call taker and the EMS field crew
C) As part of the hospital emergency department staff
D) Within the medical director’s office only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The EMD receives the emergency call, gathers information, and
then activates EMS crews, linking the public to field responders. The EMD is the
“first” first responder.
9. What does MPDS stand for?
A) Medical Priority Dispatch System
B) Medical Priority Data System
C) Medical Pre-Dispatch System
D) Medical Protocol Decision System
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: MPDS stands for Medical Priority Dispatch System. It is a
comprehensive protocol system used by EMDs to prioritize calls and provide
dispatch life support.
10. The goal of EMD is often summarized by the “5 Rights.” Which of the
following is NOT one of the 5 Rights?
A) Right resources
B) Right person
C) Right time
D) Right diagnosis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The 5 Rights of EMD are: right resources, right person, right
time, right way, and right things. “Right diagnosis” is not part of this framework
because EMDs do not diagnose conditions.
and Answers Latest Updated 2026Γêò2027
(Graded A+
Section 1: Foundations of Emergency Medical Dispatch
1. The acronym “EMD” stands for:
A) Emergency Medical Doctor
B) Emergency Medical Dispatch
C) Emergency Medical Director
D) Emergency Medical Driver
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: EMD stands for Emergency Medical Dispatch. EMDs are
specially trained telecommunicators who process medical emergency calls,
dispatch appropriate resources, and provide pre-arrival instructions to callers. The
other options are distractors that do not reflect the standard APCO terminology.
2. The primary objective of EMD is __________, and NOT __________.
A) Obtaining information through vital point questions and giving appropriate
pre-arrival instructions; giving training in the use of handling center equipment
B) Dispatching resources as quickly as possible; providing medical advice
C) Getting off the phone quickly; asking too many questions
D) Following protocols; using common sense
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The core objective of EMD is obtaining information via vital
point questions and delivering appropriate pre-arrival instructions. Training in
equipment handling is an EMD function but not the core objective. EMDs do not
diagnose medical conditions; they follow structured protocols to determine
response priority and provide scripted instructions.
,3. EMDs operate in a(n) ______ environment.
A) Controlled
B) Blind
C) Direct
D) Supervised
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: EMDs operate in a “blind” environment, meaning they cannot
see the patient or scene directly. They must rely entirely on information provided
by callers, who may be panicked, injured, or have limited medical knowledge.
4. Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of an EMD?
A) Obtaining sufficient and accurate information from callers
B) Diagnosing the medical or traumatic condition for responders
C) Coordinating and dispatching EMS resources
D) Providing pre-arrival instructions as locally approved
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: EMDs do NOT diagnose medical or traumatic conditions. Their
role is to gather information, determine the nature and severity of the incident,
dispatch appropriate resources, and provide scripted pre-arrival instructions.
Diagnosis is the responsibility of field EMS personnel and physicians.
5. What is a prerequisite for the APCO EMD course?
A) High school diploma
B) Current and valid CPR certification
C) One year of dispatch experience
D) Completion of EMT training
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: A current and valid CPR certification is a prerequisite for the
APCO EMD course. This ensures that the dispatcher understands the
fundamentals of CPR and can provide effective telephone CPR instructions.
6. The APCO Institute EMD course was designed to ensure you will be able to do
all of the following EXCEPT:
A) State and identify the roles and responsibilities of an EMD
B) Obtain sufficient and accurate information from callers to dispatch resources
C) Provide direct medical treatment to patients
D) Give appropriate pre-arrival instructions to callers as locally approved
guidecards indicate
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: EMDs provide pre-arrival instructions over the phone but do
not provide direct hands-on medical treatment to patients. That is the role of field
EMS personnel. The other options are core EMD functions.
7. The “Chain of Survival” as standardized by the AHA/IAED includes all of the
following EXCEPT:
A) Recognition and response activation
B) Early CPR
C) Rapid defibrillation
D) Scene safety assessment
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The six links of the Chain of Survival are: recognition and
response activation, early CPR, rapid defibrillation, advanced resuscitation, post-
cardiac arrest care, and recovery. Scene safety is an important consideration but
is not one of the six Chain of Survival links.
8. In the EMS system, where does the EMD fit most accurately?
, A) Directly after the ambulance arrives on scene
B) Between the 911 call taker and the EMS field crew
C) As part of the hospital emergency department staff
D) Within the medical director’s office only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The EMD receives the emergency call, gathers information, and
then activates EMS crews, linking the public to field responders. The EMD is the
“first” first responder.
9. What does MPDS stand for?
A) Medical Priority Dispatch System
B) Medical Priority Data System
C) Medical Pre-Dispatch System
D) Medical Protocol Decision System
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: MPDS stands for Medical Priority Dispatch System. It is a
comprehensive protocol system used by EMDs to prioritize calls and provide
dispatch life support.
10. The goal of EMD is often summarized by the “5 Rights.” Which of the
following is NOT one of the 5 Rights?
A) Right resources
B) Right person
C) Right time
D) Right diagnosis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The 5 Rights of EMD are: right resources, right person, right
time, right way, and right things. “Right diagnosis” is not part of this framework
because EMDs do not diagnose conditions.
