AMLS Assessment & Patient Approach Actual Exam
2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style Questions with Detailed
Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Q1: A 54-year-old male is found unresponsive in his home. During the primary survey,
the rescuer notes gurgling respirations and a weak, thready pulse. Which action should
be prioritized first?
A. Initiate a 12-lead ECG to identify the underlying cardiac rhythm
B. Open the airway using a head-tilt chin-lift maneuver and suction as needed
C. Obtain a complete SAMPLE history from the patient's spouse
D. Insert an IV catheter and administer 1 liter of normal saline bolus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary survey follows the ABCs: airway takes precedence over
breathing and circulation. Gurgling respirations indicate airway compromise requiring
immediate opening and suctioning. ECG, SAMPLE history, and IV access are secondary
priorities after securing the airway. [100% VERIFIED – AMLS 2026/2027]
Q2: A patient presents with altered mental status. The rescuer assesses the patient as
responsive to verbal stimuli only, with eyes opening to speech, confused verbal
responses, and localizing to pain. Using the AVPU scale, this patient is classified as:
A. Alert
B. Responsive to Verbal stimuli
C. Responsive to Painful stimuli
D. Unresponsive
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: AVPU classifies the patient based on the best response: Alert (fully awake),
Verbal (responds to voice), Pain (responds only to painful stimuli), or Unresponsive. A
patient who opens eyes to speech and responds verbally is classified as "V" (Verbal)
,regardless of motor response. Pain response requires no response to verbal stimuli.
[100% VERIFIED – AMLS 2026/2027]
Q3: During the secondary survey, a patient with chest pain states the pain began 2 hours
ago while at rest, radiates to the left arm, and is rated 8/10. The pain is described as
"crushing" and is unrelieved by nitroglycerin. Using OPQRST, which component is
missing from this description?
A. Onset, Provocation/Palliation, and Quality are documented
B. Region/Radiation and Severity are documented
C. Time and associated Symptoms are not fully described
D. All OPQRST components have been adequately documented
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: OPQRST stands for Onset, Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation,
Severity, and Time. The description includes onset (2 hours ago), provocation (at rest),
quality (crushing), radiation (left arm), severity (8/10), but does not fully describe Time
(constant vs intermittent, duration of episodes) or associated Symptoms (diaphoresis,
nausea, dyspnea). [100% VERIFIED – AMLS 2026/2027]
Q4: A patient is found in the tripod position with nasal flaring, intercostal retractions,
and accessory muscle use. The rescuer recognizes these findings as indicators of:
A. Normal respiratory effort in a healthy adult
B. Increased work of breathing and impending respiratory failure
C. Psychogenic hyperventilation without physiological compromise
D. Adequate respiratory compensation for metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The tripod position, nasal flaring, intercostal retractions, and accessory
muscle use are all signs of increased work of breathing indicating respiratory distress
that may progress to respiratory failure. These are never normal findings. Psychogenic
hyperventilation does not produce these signs. While Kussmaul respirations
,compensate for metabolic acidosis, they do not include the tripod position or
retractions. [100% VERIFIED – AMLS 2026/2027]
Q5: A 67-year-old female presents with vague weakness and fatigue. Vital signs are BP
88/52, HR 118, RR 24, SpO2 94%, T 38.6°C. The rescuer recognizes this patient as "sick"
based on:
A. Normal vital signs for her age group
B. Signs of shock with tachycardia, hypotension, tachypnea, and fever
C. Isolated hypotension that will resolve with oral fluid intake
D. Expected findings in a patient with anxiety and hyperventilation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The combination of hypotension (SBP <90), tachycardia (>100), tachypnea
(>20), fever, and low SpO2 indicates systemic illness with shock physiology. These are
abnormal vital signs requiring immediate intervention. Oral fluids are contraindicated in
suspected shock. Anxiety does not cause hypotension and fever. [100% VERIFIED –
AMLS 2026/2027]
Q6: During the primary survey, a patient is found to have absent breath sounds on the
right side with tracheal deviation to the left. The rescuer should immediately:
A. Perform needle decompression on the right side of the chest
B. Administer high-flow oxygen and obtain a chest X-ray
C. Insert a chest tube on the left side to correct the deviation
D. Begin positive pressure ventilation with a bag-valve-mask
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Absent breath sounds with tracheal deviation away from the affected side
indicates tension pneumothorax, a life-threatening condition requiring immediate needle
decompression on the affected side. Chest X-ray delays definitive treatment. Chest tube
insertion on the wrong side is contraindicated. BVM ventilation worsens tension
pneumothorax. [100% VERIFIED – AMLS 2026/2027]
, Q7: A patient with a history of diabetes presents with altered mental status. The
rescuer's first action after ensuring airway patency should be:
A. Administer 2 mg of naloxone IV for suspected opioid overdose
B. Check blood glucose level to rule out hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia
C. Perform a 12-lead ECG to assess for acute coronary syndrome
D. Administer 50% dextrose IV push empirically without glucose testing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Blood glucose assessment is critical in all patients with altered mental status
to differentiate hypoglycemia (treatable with dextrose) from hyperglycemia (DKA/HHS).
Naloxone is indicated for suspected opioid overdose, not as first-line for all AMS. ECG is
important but secondary to glucose assessment. Empiric dextrose without testing can
worsen hyperglycemia. [100% VERIFIED – AMLS 2026/2027]
Q8: The SAMPLE history includes which components?
A. Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last meal, Events
leading to illness
B. Severity, Airway, Mental status, Past history, Labs, Examination findings
C. Scene safety, Assessment, Medical history, Physical exam, Last vitals, Environmental
factors
D. Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Physical exam, Level of consciousness, Events
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: SAMPLE is a standardized mnemonic for history-taking: Signs/Symptoms,
Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last oral intake (meal), and Events leading
to the current illness. The other options mix incorrect components or unrelated
assessment categories. [100% VERIFIED – AMLS 2026/2027]
Q9: A patient presents with chest pain, diaphoresis, and nausea. The rescuer notes the
patient is anxious but hemodynamically stable. Using the AMLS framework, which is the
priority?
A. Obtain a detailed past medical history including family cardiac history
B. Treat the patient as a potential acute coronary syndrome and manage accordingly
2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style Questions with Detailed
Rationales | 100% Verified | Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Q1: A 54-year-old male is found unresponsive in his home. During the primary survey,
the rescuer notes gurgling respirations and a weak, thready pulse. Which action should
be prioritized first?
A. Initiate a 12-lead ECG to identify the underlying cardiac rhythm
B. Open the airway using a head-tilt chin-lift maneuver and suction as needed
C. Obtain a complete SAMPLE history from the patient's spouse
D. Insert an IV catheter and administer 1 liter of normal saline bolus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary survey follows the ABCs: airway takes precedence over
breathing and circulation. Gurgling respirations indicate airway compromise requiring
immediate opening and suctioning. ECG, SAMPLE history, and IV access are secondary
priorities after securing the airway. [100% VERIFIED – AMLS 2026/2027]
Q2: A patient presents with altered mental status. The rescuer assesses the patient as
responsive to verbal stimuli only, with eyes opening to speech, confused verbal
responses, and localizing to pain. Using the AVPU scale, this patient is classified as:
A. Alert
B. Responsive to Verbal stimuli
C. Responsive to Painful stimuli
D. Unresponsive
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: AVPU classifies the patient based on the best response: Alert (fully awake),
Verbal (responds to voice), Pain (responds only to painful stimuli), or Unresponsive. A
patient who opens eyes to speech and responds verbally is classified as "V" (Verbal)
,regardless of motor response. Pain response requires no response to verbal stimuli.
[100% VERIFIED – AMLS 2026/2027]
Q3: During the secondary survey, a patient with chest pain states the pain began 2 hours
ago while at rest, radiates to the left arm, and is rated 8/10. The pain is described as
"crushing" and is unrelieved by nitroglycerin. Using OPQRST, which component is
missing from this description?
A. Onset, Provocation/Palliation, and Quality are documented
B. Region/Radiation and Severity are documented
C. Time and associated Symptoms are not fully described
D. All OPQRST components have been adequately documented
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: OPQRST stands for Onset, Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation,
Severity, and Time. The description includes onset (2 hours ago), provocation (at rest),
quality (crushing), radiation (left arm), severity (8/10), but does not fully describe Time
(constant vs intermittent, duration of episodes) or associated Symptoms (diaphoresis,
nausea, dyspnea). [100% VERIFIED – AMLS 2026/2027]
Q4: A patient is found in the tripod position with nasal flaring, intercostal retractions,
and accessory muscle use. The rescuer recognizes these findings as indicators of:
A. Normal respiratory effort in a healthy adult
B. Increased work of breathing and impending respiratory failure
C. Psychogenic hyperventilation without physiological compromise
D. Adequate respiratory compensation for metabolic acidosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The tripod position, nasal flaring, intercostal retractions, and accessory
muscle use are all signs of increased work of breathing indicating respiratory distress
that may progress to respiratory failure. These are never normal findings. Psychogenic
hyperventilation does not produce these signs. While Kussmaul respirations
,compensate for metabolic acidosis, they do not include the tripod position or
retractions. [100% VERIFIED – AMLS 2026/2027]
Q5: A 67-year-old female presents with vague weakness and fatigue. Vital signs are BP
88/52, HR 118, RR 24, SpO2 94%, T 38.6°C. The rescuer recognizes this patient as "sick"
based on:
A. Normal vital signs for her age group
B. Signs of shock with tachycardia, hypotension, tachypnea, and fever
C. Isolated hypotension that will resolve with oral fluid intake
D. Expected findings in a patient with anxiety and hyperventilation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The combination of hypotension (SBP <90), tachycardia (>100), tachypnea
(>20), fever, and low SpO2 indicates systemic illness with shock physiology. These are
abnormal vital signs requiring immediate intervention. Oral fluids are contraindicated in
suspected shock. Anxiety does not cause hypotension and fever. [100% VERIFIED –
AMLS 2026/2027]
Q6: During the primary survey, a patient is found to have absent breath sounds on the
right side with tracheal deviation to the left. The rescuer should immediately:
A. Perform needle decompression on the right side of the chest
B. Administer high-flow oxygen and obtain a chest X-ray
C. Insert a chest tube on the left side to correct the deviation
D. Begin positive pressure ventilation with a bag-valve-mask
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Absent breath sounds with tracheal deviation away from the affected side
indicates tension pneumothorax, a life-threatening condition requiring immediate needle
decompression on the affected side. Chest X-ray delays definitive treatment. Chest tube
insertion on the wrong side is contraindicated. BVM ventilation worsens tension
pneumothorax. [100% VERIFIED – AMLS 2026/2027]
, Q7: A patient with a history of diabetes presents with altered mental status. The
rescuer's first action after ensuring airway patency should be:
A. Administer 2 mg of naloxone IV for suspected opioid overdose
B. Check blood glucose level to rule out hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia
C. Perform a 12-lead ECG to assess for acute coronary syndrome
D. Administer 50% dextrose IV push empirically without glucose testing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Blood glucose assessment is critical in all patients with altered mental status
to differentiate hypoglycemia (treatable with dextrose) from hyperglycemia (DKA/HHS).
Naloxone is indicated for suspected opioid overdose, not as first-line for all AMS. ECG is
important but secondary to glucose assessment. Empiric dextrose without testing can
worsen hyperglycemia. [100% VERIFIED – AMLS 2026/2027]
Q8: The SAMPLE history includes which components?
A. Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last meal, Events
leading to illness
B. Severity, Airway, Mental status, Past history, Labs, Examination findings
C. Scene safety, Assessment, Medical history, Physical exam, Last vitals, Environmental
factors
D. Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Physical exam, Level of consciousness, Events
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: SAMPLE is a standardized mnemonic for history-taking: Signs/Symptoms,
Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last oral intake (meal), and Events leading
to the current illness. The other options mix incorrect components or unrelated
assessment categories. [100% VERIFIED – AMLS 2026/2027]
Q9: A patient presents with chest pain, diaphoresis, and nausea. The rescuer notes the
patient is anxious but hemodynamically stable. Using the AMLS framework, which is the
priority?
A. Obtain a detailed past medical history including family cardiac history
B. Treat the patient as a potential acute coronary syndrome and manage accordingly
