EMD Certification Exam STUDY GUIDE
2025/2026 VERIFIED QUESTIONS WITH
EXPLANATIONS || GUARANTEED PASS
<LATEST VERSION>
Section 1: Protocols and Priority Dispatch (Questions 1-30)
1. What is the primary purpose of using standardized EMD protocols like the
Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS)?
A) To diagnose the patient's condition over the phone.
B) To provide a consistent, structured process for processing emergency calls.
C) To allow the dispatcher to refuse instructions if they disagree.
D) To replace the need for paramedic training.
Answer: B) To provide a consistent, structured process for processing
emergency calls.
2. The "Key Questions" in a protocol are designed to:
A) Gather information for billing purposes.
B) Identify the caller's insurance information.
C) Determine the chief complaint and its level of severity.
D) Engage in casual conversation to calm the caller.
Answer: C) Determine the chief complaint and its level of severity.
3. What does the determinant code represent in a dispatch protocol?
A) The caller's phone number.
B) A code that summarizes the incident's severity and dictates response
configuration.
C) The EMD's employee ID.
D) The hospital where the patient will be transported.
Answer: B) A code that summarizes the incident's severity and dictates
response configuration.
4. After determining the chief complaint, the next step in the EMD process is
typically to:
,A) Dispatch the unit immediately.
B) Provide pre-arrival instructions.
C) Interrogate the caller for more details using protocol-specific questions.
D) Transfer the call to a supervisor.
Answer: C) Interrogate the caller for more details using protocol-specific
questions.
5. The "A" in the A-L-I-V-E mnemonic for call-taking stands for:
A) Assess the situation.
B) Answer the phone promptly.
C) Address the caller by name.
D) Airway instructions.
Answer: A) Answer the phone promptly.
6. Which of the following is the EMD's highest priority during an emergency
call?
A) Keeping the call under two minutes.
B) The safety of the caller, patient, and responders.
C) Getting the caller's full address first.
D) Diagnosing the patient's medical issue.
Answer: B) The safety of the caller, patient, and responders.
7. A "Charlie"-level response typically indicates:
A) A low-priority, non-lights-and-siren response.
B) The highest priority, lights-and-siren response.
C) A medium-priority response, often with lights and siren.
D) No response is needed.
Answer: C) A medium-priority response, often with lights and siren.
8. When a caller is hysterical and not answering questions directly, the EMD
should:
A) Hang up and wait for a more coherent caller.
B) Speak loudly to assert dominance.
C) Use firm, direct, and closed-ended questions to regain control.
D) Tell the caller to call back when they are calm.
Answer: C) Use firm, direct, and closed-ended questions to regain control.
, 9. The "I" in the I-S-P-O-L-A-R acronym for location verification stands for:
A) Interstate
B) Intersection
C) Inside
D) Immediate
Answer: B) Intersection
10. Pre-Arrival Instructions (PAIs) should be given:
A) Only if the caller asks for them.
B) After the emergency units have been dispatched and while they are en route.
C) Before dispatching any units.
D) Only for cardiac arrest calls.
Answer: B) After the emergency units have been dispatched and while they
are en route.
11. What is the purpose of the "Pre-Arrival Instruction Scripts" in the EMD
guidecards?
A) To provide a script for diagnosing the patient.
B) To give the EMD exact wording for providing safe and effective help before
EMS arrives.
C) To help the EMD talk to the responding units.
D) To fill time until the call is over.
Answer: B) To give the EMD exact wording for providing safe and effective
help before EMS arrives.
12. An "Omega"-level response typically indicates:
A) A cardiac arrest.
B) The lowest priority response.
C) A mass casualty incident.
D) A police-only response.
Answer: B) The lowest priority response.
13. The first "Key Question" for a chest pain protocol is often:
A) "Is the patient allergic to any medications?"
B) "Is the patient conscious and breathing normally?"
C) "How old is the patient?"
2025/2026 VERIFIED QUESTIONS WITH
EXPLANATIONS || GUARANTEED PASS
<LATEST VERSION>
Section 1: Protocols and Priority Dispatch (Questions 1-30)
1. What is the primary purpose of using standardized EMD protocols like the
Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS)?
A) To diagnose the patient's condition over the phone.
B) To provide a consistent, structured process for processing emergency calls.
C) To allow the dispatcher to refuse instructions if they disagree.
D) To replace the need for paramedic training.
Answer: B) To provide a consistent, structured process for processing
emergency calls.
2. The "Key Questions" in a protocol are designed to:
A) Gather information for billing purposes.
B) Identify the caller's insurance information.
C) Determine the chief complaint and its level of severity.
D) Engage in casual conversation to calm the caller.
Answer: C) Determine the chief complaint and its level of severity.
3. What does the determinant code represent in a dispatch protocol?
A) The caller's phone number.
B) A code that summarizes the incident's severity and dictates response
configuration.
C) The EMD's employee ID.
D) The hospital where the patient will be transported.
Answer: B) A code that summarizes the incident's severity and dictates
response configuration.
4. After determining the chief complaint, the next step in the EMD process is
typically to:
,A) Dispatch the unit immediately.
B) Provide pre-arrival instructions.
C) Interrogate the caller for more details using protocol-specific questions.
D) Transfer the call to a supervisor.
Answer: C) Interrogate the caller for more details using protocol-specific
questions.
5. The "A" in the A-L-I-V-E mnemonic for call-taking stands for:
A) Assess the situation.
B) Answer the phone promptly.
C) Address the caller by name.
D) Airway instructions.
Answer: A) Answer the phone promptly.
6. Which of the following is the EMD's highest priority during an emergency
call?
A) Keeping the call under two minutes.
B) The safety of the caller, patient, and responders.
C) Getting the caller's full address first.
D) Diagnosing the patient's medical issue.
Answer: B) The safety of the caller, patient, and responders.
7. A "Charlie"-level response typically indicates:
A) A low-priority, non-lights-and-siren response.
B) The highest priority, lights-and-siren response.
C) A medium-priority response, often with lights and siren.
D) No response is needed.
Answer: C) A medium-priority response, often with lights and siren.
8. When a caller is hysterical and not answering questions directly, the EMD
should:
A) Hang up and wait for a more coherent caller.
B) Speak loudly to assert dominance.
C) Use firm, direct, and closed-ended questions to regain control.
D) Tell the caller to call back when they are calm.
Answer: C) Use firm, direct, and closed-ended questions to regain control.
, 9. The "I" in the I-S-P-O-L-A-R acronym for location verification stands for:
A) Interstate
B) Intersection
C) Inside
D) Immediate
Answer: B) Intersection
10. Pre-Arrival Instructions (PAIs) should be given:
A) Only if the caller asks for them.
B) After the emergency units have been dispatched and while they are en route.
C) Before dispatching any units.
D) Only for cardiac arrest calls.
Answer: B) After the emergency units have been dispatched and while they
are en route.
11. What is the purpose of the "Pre-Arrival Instruction Scripts" in the EMD
guidecards?
A) To provide a script for diagnosing the patient.
B) To give the EMD exact wording for providing safe and effective help before
EMS arrives.
C) To help the EMD talk to the responding units.
D) To fill time until the call is over.
Answer: B) To give the EMD exact wording for providing safe and effective
help before EMS arrives.
12. An "Omega"-level response typically indicates:
A) A cardiac arrest.
B) The lowest priority response.
C) A mass casualty incident.
D) A police-only response.
Answer: B) The lowest priority response.
13. The first "Key Question" for a chest pain protocol is often:
A) "Is the patient allergic to any medications?"
B) "Is the patient conscious and breathing normally?"
C) "How old is the patient?"
