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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

EMD Practice Test: Sharpen Your Emergency Dispatch Decisions

Quick quiz with real EMD test questions. Instant results and review.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Conner HiattUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for EMD test practice quiz on a coral background

This EMD practice test helps you apply emergency medical dispatch protocols in realistic call scenarios and spot gaps before certification. Get quick results with a short review after each question, and build skills across EMS topics with our emr practice test, an emt module 1 practice test, or deepen drug knowledge with a paramedic pharmacology quiz.

Primary purpose of verifying the caller's location at the start of an EMD call
Estimate the caller's ability to pay
Confirm the caller's identity for legal purposes
Ensure responders are sent to the correct place as quickly as possible
Determine if the call should be transferred to police
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Best first question after greeting and location verification in a medical call
How long will this take
Tell me exactly what happened
What is your social security number
What is your insurance provider
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Core purpose of EMD pre-arrival instructions
Bridge the time between call receipt and responder arrival with life-saving actions
Diagnose the patient remotely
Reduce call volume by discouraging transport
Collect billing details for the ambulance company
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Compression rate for adult telephone-CPR as instructed by EMD
Exactly 80 compressions per minute
About 100 to 120 compressions per minute
About 160 to 180 compressions per minute
About 40 to 50 compressions per minute
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Primary safety instruction when caller reports a structure fire with people possibly inside
Instruct caller to open all windows to vent smoke
Tell caller to use the elevator for faster evacuation
Have the caller search all rooms and then call back
Ensure everyone evacuates immediately to a safe location before further questions
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When assessing breathing over the phone, the most reliable indicator of cardiac arrest to act upon
Cold hands and feet
Blue lips without other symptoms
Unconscious and not breathing normally (including agonal gasps)
Caller says the patient looks "tired"
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Most appropriate initial action when caller reports an adult choking and unable to speak or cough
Begin rescue breathing immediately
Give the patient a glass of water
Have the patient lie flat and rest
Direct the caller to perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich)
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Preferred hand placement for adult chest compressions in telephone-CPR
Over the left lower ribs
Over the upper sternum near the collarbone
Directly on the xiphoid process
Center of the chest on the lower half of the sternum
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When to apply an AED during telephone-CPR if available
As soon as it is available, with minimal interruption to compressions
Only after 10 minutes of CPR
After the responders arrive
Only if the patient is breathing normally
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Most appropriate EMD response when caller reports stroke symptoms with time of onset under 3 hours
Advise caller to monitor at home for 24 hours
Recommend the patient eat and drink to restore energy
Schedule a clinic visit for the next day
High-priority dispatch and stroke recognition questioning (e.g., FAST)
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Best instruction for controlling severe external limb bleeding with a commercial tourniquet
Place it directly over the wound and tighten until mildly uncomfortable
Place it 2-3 inches above the wound, avoid joints, and tighten until bleeding stops
Place it below the wound to trap blood
Apply loosely to allow some circulation
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Key difference between agonal respirations and normal breathing during cardiac arrest assessment
Agonal respirations only occur during sleep
Agonal respirations indicate the airway is clear and patient is stable
Agonal respirations are irregular, gasping, or snorting and are not normal breathing
Agonal respirations are faster than normal breathing
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When a caller cannot provide an exact address from a mobile phone, the EMD should first try to
Dispatch to the caller's billing address
End the call and wait for a callback
Obtain cross streets, landmarks, and confirm city while leveraging available location data
Ignore maps and ask only for zip code
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Silent or open-line 911 call with background disturbance best initial EMD approach
Dispatch only law enforcement and no medical
Attempt voice contact, verify location, use TTY/text or callbacks per policy, and dispatch per cues
Assume it is a misdial and clear the call
Hang up immediately to keep lines open
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Appropriate EMD action when caller reports suicidal statements with ingestion of unknown pills but patient is breathing normally
Dispatch EMS with law enforcement as appropriate and maintain caller/patient safety
Refuse medical response since breathing is normal
Advise the patient to take a cold shower and sleep
Tell the caller to induce vomiting immediately
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Wireless Phase II location in 911 context refers to
Provision of caller's estimated latitude/longitude and cell sector to the PSAP
A video stream from the caller's phone
The caller's billing address only
Guaranteed pinpoint indoor floor location
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Text-to-911 session indicates a life-threatening medical emergency; best practice for EMD
Send only a routine response
Verify location via text, ask concise protocol questions, and dispatch without delay
End session if replies are slow
Refuse service until a voice call is placed
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In a suspected neck wound with severe bleeding and bubbling at the wound, the most critical instruction
Remove any clot that forms
Apply a tourniquet above the neck
Have the patient cough forcefully to clear blood
Apply direct pressure with an occlusive dressing if available, without occluding airway
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If a caller reports that a child swallowed a button battery, EMD should
Dispatch emergently and advise nothing to eat or drink unless protocol allows honey for specific ages/timeframes
Advise giving baking soda water
Suggest waiting 24 hours to pass naturally
Recommend inducing vomiting immediately
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Honey may be appropriate for certain pediatric button battery ingestions under specific protocols
True
False
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand EMD Test Structure -

    Grasp the format, question types, and scoring mechanics of the emd test to build a clear roadmap for targeted study and exam success.

  2. Apply Dispatch Protocols Accurately -

    Use the scenarios in this emd practice test to hone your decision-making and ensure precise adherence to emergency medical dispatch protocols during high-stress calls.

  3. Navigate Protocol Cards Efficiently -

    Develop proficiency in locating and interpreting critical information within the emd protocol cards v14 pdf to expedite accurate dispatch instructions.

  4. Identify Knowledge Gaps -

    Analyze your performance on each question to pinpoint areas for improvement and focus your emd testing preparation on weaker topics.

  5. Optimize Call Management Skills -

    Strengthen your ability to remain calm, communicate clearly, and prioritize patient needs during simulated calls, boosting your confidence before certification.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Master the Structure of EMD Protocol Cards v14 -

    Familiarize yourself with the layout of each protocol card - chief complaint, determinant codes, and pre-arrival instructions - so you can quickly locate the right algorithm under pressure. For example, knowing that the top-left corner lists priority levels 1 - 4 helps you determine response time instantly (source: IAED EMD v14 manual). Bookmark the "Key Changes" section to stay updated on new or revised protocols.

  2. Apply the C-A-B-C Assessment for Cardiac Arrest -

    Use the mnemonic C-A-B-C (Circulation, Airway, Breathing, Compressions) to guide your questioning and dispatcher-directed CPR instructions (American Heart Association). Practice a sample script: "Is the patient conscious? Is the patient breathing normally?" then shift to continuous chest compressions at 100 - 120/minute. Drilling this sequence in your emd practice test sessions boosts both speed and accuracy.

  3. Utilize OPQRST for Symptom Clarification -

    Implement OPQRST (Onset, Provocation, Quality, Radiation, Severity, Time) to systematically evaluate symptoms and assign correct determinant codes. For chest pain, ask: "When did it start? Does anything worsen or relieve it?" This structured approach, endorsed by NAEMD, ensures you capture critical details for prioritization.

  4. Differentiate Priority Levels for Triage -

    Memorize the four EMD priority levels: Priority 1 (immediate life threat), Priority 2 (urgent but not immediately life-threatening), Priority 3 (non-urgent transport), and Priority 4 (non-transport). A quick way to recall: "1-Life, 2-Injury, 3-Inconvenience, 4-Info" (Academy of Emergency Dispatch). Matching patient presentation to these levels in an emd testing scenario reduces dispatch errors.

  5. Practice Calm, Clear Communication -

    Adopt a steady, reassuring tone and use closed-loop communication (repeat back caller responses) to confirm accuracy. For instance, if a caller says "the patient is not breathing," you respond, "You said not breathing, correct?" This technique, supported by JEMS research, minimizes misinformation and enhances caller compliance.

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