MPDS Emergency Medical Dispatch Exam – 70 Questions and Answers on Dispatch Protocols, CPR Instructions & Determinant Codes

This document contains approximately 70 exam questions and verified answers designed to help students and emergency dispatch trainees prepare for the MPDS (Medical Priority Dispatch System) certification exam used in Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) training programs. The material is presented in a structured question-and-answer format covering essential dispatch protocols, emergency medical communication procedures, and pre-arrival medical instruction techniques used by trained dispatch professionals. The content begins with foundational concepts in Dispatch Life Support (DLS), which refers to the knowledge, procedures, and communication skills used by trained Emergency Medical Dispatchers to provide life-saving guidance to callers before first responders arrive. The document explains how dispatchers deliver medically approved instructions through post-dispatch instructions (PDIs) and pre-arrival instructions (PAIs) to guide callers in assisting patients during emergencies such as cardiac arrest, choking, or severe trauma. A significant portion of the document focuses on cardiac arrest response protocols, including dispatcher-assisted CPR instructions, recognition of agonal breathing, and when to perform compression-only CPR. The material also explains special CPR procedures such as compressions-first CPR and circumstances when ventilations or mouth-to-stoma breathing must be used, particularly for patients with tracheostomies. The guide also reviews Automated External Defibrillator (AED) usage and dispatcher responsibilities in encouraging its use when available. The document further covers dispatch protocol cards and determinant coding systems used in MPDS emergency call triage. Topics include how to interpret determinant codes that combine protocol numbers, determinant levels, and suffixes to communicate critical details to responding emergency units. It also reviews specialized protocol cards such as the Card 9 protocol, which is used for cases involving obvious or expected death, including situations such as advanced decomposition, decapitation, or terminal illness with a DNR order. Additional sections review emergency triage principles and priority symptom identification, including recognition of abnormal breathing, decreased consciousness, severe bleeding, and chest pain as high-priority symptoms requiring urgent response. The material also explains diagnostic tools used during emergency calls, such as the breathing verification diagnostic, aspirin diagnostic tool, pulse tests, and stroke diagnostic procedures. The document also introduces operational concepts used during dispatch calls, including case entry procedures, scene safety evaluation, determination of the mechanism of injury, and prioritization of the patient’s chief complaint. Special dispatch terminology such as unknown breathing vs. uncertain breathing, suffix usage in determinant codes, and the D-18 arrival interface protocol are also reviewed to ensure dispatchers maintain accurate communication with callers and responding emergency crews. The material aligns with training resources used in emergency medical dispatch education, particularly “Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) Protocols” developed by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED), which form the global standard for structured emergency call triage and pre-arrival medical instructions. This document may be useful for courses and training programs such as: Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) Certification Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) Training Emergency Communications and Dispatch Operations Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Dispatch Training Public Safety Telecommunicator Training It may also benefit students and professionals including: Emergency medical dispatch trainees 911 call center operators and telecommunicators Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel Public safety communication specialists Paramedic and EMT training students studying dispatch protocols Overall, this document serves as a concise exam preparation resource that compiles essential MPDS protocols, dispatcher-assisted medical instruction procedures, determinant coding systems, and emergency call triage principles into structured exam-style questions. It helps learners strengthen their understanding of dispatcher responsibilities and emergency communication procedures required for effective pre-arrival medical care. Keywords MPDS exam questions emergency dispatch, emergency medical dispatcher training, dispatch life support DLS protocols, pre arrival instructions PAI dispatcher CPR, post dispatch instructions PDI emergency calls, agonal breathing cardiac arrest recognition, dispatcher assisted CPR compression only CPR, automated external defibrillator AED dispatch guidance, medical priority dispatch determinant codes, emergency call triage protocol cards MPDS, breathing verification diagnostic dispatch, stroke diagnostic emergency dispatch, priority symptoms emergency triage EMS, emergency medical communications training, public safety telecommunicator certification exam