AEMCA Practice Exam

What does code 72 indicate in emergency medical terminology?

1. Refusal of service

2. Patient expired

3. Urgent

4. No patient carry

The correct answer is: Refusal of service

In emergency medical terminology, code 72 typically indicates "No patient carry." This means that, during the incident, no patient was transported to a medical facility, whether that was due to the patient's condition, a refusal of care, or other circumstances that led to no need for an ambulance transport. Understanding this code is essential for emergency personnel, as it conveys critical information about the outcome of an emergency call and helps coordinate resources efficiently. In contrast, the notion of a refusal of service would generally be tied to the patient's decision not to receive care, but code 72 explicitly relates to transportation, not refusal.