EMD (EMERGENCY MEDICAL DISPATCHER) COURSE
V14 EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PLUS
RATIONALES
1. What is the primary role of an Emergency Medical Dispatcher?
A. Respond to medical calls
B. Transport patients to the hospital
C. Provide pre-arrival instructions and dispatch EMS
D. Diagnose patient conditions
EMDs are responsible for prioritizing calls, dispatching EMS units,
and giving pre-arrival instructions, not direct medical care.
2. When determining the priority of a call, which factor is most
important?
A. Patient age
B. Nature and severity of the patient’s condition
C. Caller’s emotional state
D. Time of day
The call priority is based on the urgency of the medical condition,
not demographic factors.
3. What is the first step when answering an emergency call?
A. Dispatch EMS immediately
B. Ask for patient history
C. Obtain location and callback number
D. Give medical instructions
Location and callback number are crucial to ensure EMS can reach
the patient even if the call is disconnected.
,4. Which of the following is considered a life-threatening
emergency?
A. Minor cut
B. Sprained ankle
C. Severe chest pain with shortness of breath
D. Mild headache
Life-threatening emergencies involve conditions that could result
in death or serious disability without immediate intervention.
5. If a patient is choking but conscious, what should the dispatcher
instruct?
A. Give CPR immediately
B. Encourage the patient to perform the Heimlich maneuver
C. Wait for EMS to arrive without instructions
D. Have the patient drink water
For a conscious choking patient, the dispatcher should guide them
through appropriate maneuvers like the Heimlich.
6. What is the key question when assessing breathing problems over
the phone?
A. Patient’s favorite food
B. Whether the patient is breathing normally or has difficulty
breathing
C. Whether EMS has been dispatched
D. Caller’s location
Assessing the breathing pattern is critical for prioritizing the call
and giving accurate pre-arrival instructions.
7. What type of information is NOT appropriate to ask during a high-
priority call?
, A. Patient’s age
B. Current symptoms
C. Caller’s personal opinions unrelated to the emergency
D. Patient medical history
Irrelevant information can delay care and is not appropriate
during urgent calls.
8. During a cardiac arrest call, what should be dispatched
immediately?
A. Fire department only
B. EMS and instruct caller to begin CPR
C. Police only
D. Non-emergency transport
Rapid EMS dispatch and immediate CPR guidance can significantly
improve patient survival.
9. Which of the following best describes the EMD’s responsibility for
patient care?
A. Provide treatment on scene
B. Provide instructions until EMS arrives
C. Diagnose conditions
D. Transport the patient
EMDs cannot perform medical procedures; they guide callers to
provide safe care until professionals arrive.
10. If a patient is experiencing severe bleeding, what is the
dispatcher’s first instruction?
A. Apply direct pressure to the wound
B. Start CPR
C. Move the patient immediately
, D. Give water
Controlling bleeding quickly can prevent shock and death, making
it the top priority.
11. When dealing with a caller who is panicking, the dispatcher
should:
A. Speak calmly and clearly to reassure and guide the caller
B. Argue with the caller
C. Ignore emotional distress
D. End the call quickly
Calm communication helps the caller follow instructions and
ensures effective care.
12. What is the most important action if a caller reports an
unconscious patient?
A. Ask about medical history
B. Determine responsiveness and breathing
C. Tell the caller to wait
D. Gather insurance information
Unresponsiveness and breathing status determine priority and
dictate whether CPR instructions are necessary.
13. Which of these symptoms indicates a possible stroke?
A. Mild fever
B. Facial drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech
C. Sore throat
D. Stomach ache
Classic stroke signs are sudden neurological deficits affecting face,
arm, or speech.
V14 EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PLUS
RATIONALES
1. What is the primary role of an Emergency Medical Dispatcher?
A. Respond to medical calls
B. Transport patients to the hospital
C. Provide pre-arrival instructions and dispatch EMS
D. Diagnose patient conditions
EMDs are responsible for prioritizing calls, dispatching EMS units,
and giving pre-arrival instructions, not direct medical care.
2. When determining the priority of a call, which factor is most
important?
A. Patient age
B. Nature and severity of the patient’s condition
C. Caller’s emotional state
D. Time of day
The call priority is based on the urgency of the medical condition,
not demographic factors.
3. What is the first step when answering an emergency call?
A. Dispatch EMS immediately
B. Ask for patient history
C. Obtain location and callback number
D. Give medical instructions
Location and callback number are crucial to ensure EMS can reach
the patient even if the call is disconnected.
,4. Which of the following is considered a life-threatening
emergency?
A. Minor cut
B. Sprained ankle
C. Severe chest pain with shortness of breath
D. Mild headache
Life-threatening emergencies involve conditions that could result
in death or serious disability without immediate intervention.
5. If a patient is choking but conscious, what should the dispatcher
instruct?
A. Give CPR immediately
B. Encourage the patient to perform the Heimlich maneuver
C. Wait for EMS to arrive without instructions
D. Have the patient drink water
For a conscious choking patient, the dispatcher should guide them
through appropriate maneuvers like the Heimlich.
6. What is the key question when assessing breathing problems over
the phone?
A. Patient’s favorite food
B. Whether the patient is breathing normally or has difficulty
breathing
C. Whether EMS has been dispatched
D. Caller’s location
Assessing the breathing pattern is critical for prioritizing the call
and giving accurate pre-arrival instructions.
7. What type of information is NOT appropriate to ask during a high-
priority call?
, A. Patient’s age
B. Current symptoms
C. Caller’s personal opinions unrelated to the emergency
D. Patient medical history
Irrelevant information can delay care and is not appropriate
during urgent calls.
8. During a cardiac arrest call, what should be dispatched
immediately?
A. Fire department only
B. EMS and instruct caller to begin CPR
C. Police only
D. Non-emergency transport
Rapid EMS dispatch and immediate CPR guidance can significantly
improve patient survival.
9. Which of the following best describes the EMD’s responsibility for
patient care?
A. Provide treatment on scene
B. Provide instructions until EMS arrives
C. Diagnose conditions
D. Transport the patient
EMDs cannot perform medical procedures; they guide callers to
provide safe care until professionals arrive.
10. If a patient is experiencing severe bleeding, what is the
dispatcher’s first instruction?
A. Apply direct pressure to the wound
B. Start CPR
C. Move the patient immediately
, D. Give water
Controlling bleeding quickly can prevent shock and death, making
it the top priority.
11. When dealing with a caller who is panicking, the dispatcher
should:
A. Speak calmly and clearly to reassure and guide the caller
B. Argue with the caller
C. Ignore emotional distress
D. End the call quickly
Calm communication helps the caller follow instructions and
ensures effective care.
12. What is the most important action if a caller reports an
unconscious patient?
A. Ask about medical history
B. Determine responsiveness and breathing
C. Tell the caller to wait
D. Gather insurance information
Unresponsiveness and breathing status determine priority and
dictate whether CPR instructions are necessary.
13. Which of these symptoms indicates a possible stroke?
A. Mild fever
B. Facial drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech
C. Sore throat
D. Stomach ache
Classic stroke signs are sudden neurological deficits affecting face,
arm, or speech.
