Mastering Medical Call Classification: NAED ETC Chapter 7 with Verified Questions &
Answers. Updated 2025.
Chapter Seven of the NAED Emergency Tele communicator (ETC) training focuses on Medical Call
Classification, a critical component of Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD). Tele communicators are
trained to assess and prioritize emergency medical calls based on the severity and urgency of the
situation. This involves gathering detailed information from callers, such as the nature of the medical
emergency, the patient's condition, and any immediate threats to life. Using established protocols, tele
communicators classify calls to determine the appropriate level of response, ensuring that resources are
allocated effectively and efficiently.
What are PAI's? - ✔✔-Pre-Arrival Instructions (PAIs) are scripted, advanced level instructions given in
time-critical situations where correct evaluation, verification, and advice are essential. These are
medically approved, written instructions given by trained and certified EMDs to callers to help provide
life-saving measures prior to the arrical of EMS responders.
What are PDI's? - ✔✔-Post Dispatch Instructions (PDIs) are basic-level instructions given to the caller
immediately after initiating dispatch. PDIs contain specific advice, warnings, and instructions designed to
keep the patient, comfortable, stable, and safe. Other instructions pertain to the safety of the caller,
bystanders and responders. PDIs also aid responders by instructiong callers, when appropriate, to put
away family pets, gather medications, for the paramedics, write down the name of the patient's doctor,
unlock the door, turn on the outside lights and have someone meet the paramedics.
What are some of the rules to help you select the correct Chief Complaint? - ✔✔-If the complaint
description (what the caller tells you) includes scene safety issues, choose the Chief Complaint Protocol
that best addresses those issues.
If the complaint description involves trauma, choose the Chief Complaint Protocol that best addresses the
mechanism of injury.
If the complaint description appears to be medical in nature, choose the Chief Complaint Protocol that
best fits the patient's foremost symptom, with priority symptoms taking precedence.
When the complaint description appears to be seizure, choose the Convulsions / Seizures Complaint
Protocol, regardless of the patient's status of consciousness and breathing.
If the Chief Complaint and status of consciousness and breathing are unknown initially (in the case of a
third-party caller) go to the Unknown Problem (Man Down) Chief Complaint Protocol.
, When the complaint description appears to be due to a breathing-related tracheostomy problem in a
conscious patient, go to the Breathing Problems Chief Complaint Protocol.
What percent of medical emergencies require absolutely immediate attention? - ✔✔-5%
What three categories do calls for emergency medical service fall into? - ✔✔-Medical
Trauma
Time-life priority
Abnormal Behavior - ✔✔-Behavioral emergency patients (at any level of consciousness) are considered
to be a potential risk to themselves and others.
Back Pain - ✔✔-The severity of pain is not related to the seriousness of the problem.
Chest Pain - ✔✔-A patient age 35 years or older with chest pain is considered a heart attack patient until
proven otherwise.
True heart attacks are uncommon in females under age 45 and males under age 35.
Diabetic Problems - ✔✔-An early sign of low blood sugar is abnormal behavior, which may include
agitation, aggressiveness, confusion, or combativeness.
Do most medical calls require a lights-and-sirens response? - ✔✔-No
Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMDs) use approved protocols to determine what? - ✔✔-The proper
response to a medical emergency.
For Medical Incidents, what does the EMDs primary assessment focus include? - ✔✔-Patients age
Answers. Updated 2025.
Chapter Seven of the NAED Emergency Tele communicator (ETC) training focuses on Medical Call
Classification, a critical component of Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD). Tele communicators are
trained to assess and prioritize emergency medical calls based on the severity and urgency of the
situation. This involves gathering detailed information from callers, such as the nature of the medical
emergency, the patient's condition, and any immediate threats to life. Using established protocols, tele
communicators classify calls to determine the appropriate level of response, ensuring that resources are
allocated effectively and efficiently.
What are PAI's? - ✔✔-Pre-Arrival Instructions (PAIs) are scripted, advanced level instructions given in
time-critical situations where correct evaluation, verification, and advice are essential. These are
medically approved, written instructions given by trained and certified EMDs to callers to help provide
life-saving measures prior to the arrical of EMS responders.
What are PDI's? - ✔✔-Post Dispatch Instructions (PDIs) are basic-level instructions given to the caller
immediately after initiating dispatch. PDIs contain specific advice, warnings, and instructions designed to
keep the patient, comfortable, stable, and safe. Other instructions pertain to the safety of the caller,
bystanders and responders. PDIs also aid responders by instructiong callers, when appropriate, to put
away family pets, gather medications, for the paramedics, write down the name of the patient's doctor,
unlock the door, turn on the outside lights and have someone meet the paramedics.
What are some of the rules to help you select the correct Chief Complaint? - ✔✔-If the complaint
description (what the caller tells you) includes scene safety issues, choose the Chief Complaint Protocol
that best addresses those issues.
If the complaint description involves trauma, choose the Chief Complaint Protocol that best addresses the
mechanism of injury.
If the complaint description appears to be medical in nature, choose the Chief Complaint Protocol that
best fits the patient's foremost symptom, with priority symptoms taking precedence.
When the complaint description appears to be seizure, choose the Convulsions / Seizures Complaint
Protocol, regardless of the patient's status of consciousness and breathing.
If the Chief Complaint and status of consciousness and breathing are unknown initially (in the case of a
third-party caller) go to the Unknown Problem (Man Down) Chief Complaint Protocol.
, When the complaint description appears to be due to a breathing-related tracheostomy problem in a
conscious patient, go to the Breathing Problems Chief Complaint Protocol.
What percent of medical emergencies require absolutely immediate attention? - ✔✔-5%
What three categories do calls for emergency medical service fall into? - ✔✔-Medical
Trauma
Time-life priority
Abnormal Behavior - ✔✔-Behavioral emergency patients (at any level of consciousness) are considered
to be a potential risk to themselves and others.
Back Pain - ✔✔-The severity of pain is not related to the seriousness of the problem.
Chest Pain - ✔✔-A patient age 35 years or older with chest pain is considered a heart attack patient until
proven otherwise.
True heart attacks are uncommon in females under age 45 and males under age 35.
Diabetic Problems - ✔✔-An early sign of low blood sugar is abnormal behavior, which may include
agitation, aggressiveness, confusion, or combativeness.
Do most medical calls require a lights-and-sirens response? - ✔✔-No
Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMDs) use approved protocols to determine what? - ✔✔-The proper
response to a medical emergency.
For Medical Incidents, what does the EMDs primary assessment focus include? - ✔✔-Patients age
