AMLS Test QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A
What condition is most likely to cause respiratory acidosis? Correct Answer: In larger doses
narcotics induce respiratory depression and eventually respiratory arrest. AMLS Page 95
A 65-year-old female complains of chest pain that feels like "aching" in her chest. It has become
progressively worse over several days. Her temperature is 38.3 degrees C (100 F). Which finding
will help narrow your differential diagnosis to pericarditis? Correct Answer: 12 lead ECG will
demonstrate global ST-segment elevation in almost every lead. AMLS Page 128
During compensatory shock, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is activated to cause a/an:
Correct Answer: This selective perfusion occurs during the ischemic phase of shock. AMLS
Page 146 (To stop kidneys from excreting fluid and keeping it in the vasculature, therefore
increasing BP)
lntrabdominal bleeds, like pancreatitis, often present with discoloration or bruising around the
umbilicus. This physical exam finding is known as: Correct Answer: Cullen's sign is a blue
discoloration around the umbilicus. AMLS Page 235
What clinical findings are most commonly associated with a pulmonary embolus? Correct
Answer: Clear breath sounds with tachypnea.
Signs and Symptoms AMLS Page 113
A 50 year old female has called 911. She complains of shortness of breath and chest. discomfort.
Assessment reveals her skin
is pale, moist and cool. BP is 102/68, R 24, labored with crackles, P of 130 and regular. Which
type of shock is most likely occurring? Correct Answer: The patient's respiratory rate is
increased, and crackles caused by pulmonary edema can be heard on auscultation.
Cardiogenic Shock Signs and Symptoms.
AMLS Page 164
Patients with a history of COPD that present with an acute onset of shortness of breath are likely
to have which condition? Correct Answer: Elements of patient history that suggest PE include
acute onset of shortness of breath. AMLS Page 114
An elderly patient with a 1 week history of productive cough and wheezing notices an increase in
difficulty in breathing when grocery shopping. Further assessment reveals pursed lip breathing,
rhonchi, and minimal jugular vein distention. Which diagnosis should the healthcare provider
suspect? Correct Answer: Signs and Symptoms of COPD. AMLS Page 85
A 45 year old patient is found supine on the floor. Healthcare providers note pinpoint pupils,
shallow respirations and vomitus in and around the mouth. What course of action should be
implemented next? Correct Answer: This is self explanatory (Suction Airway)
A 20 year old female presents with a 2-day history of dyspnea, non-productive cough, chest
tightness audible wheezing. Further exam reveals no fever or strider. The patient has rapid
, respirations with difficulty exhaling. Which diagnosis is most likely? Correct Answer: These are
textbook signs of asthma
Signs and Symptoms.AMLS Page 83
Anaphylaxis is most associated with which physiological event? Correct Answer: The cutaneous
reaction may be observed as flushed, warm skin resulting from vasodilation and uticarea. AMLS
Page 162
An elderly patient is receiving care at home while recuperating from recent knee surgery. She
developed post a operative infection and has been on antibiotics for quite sometime. She is
complaining of foul smelling diarrhea, and abdominal cramping and loss of appetite. Based on
this presentation, the provider should suspect? Correct Answer: Signs and Symptoms
Patients with this illness have diarrhea that is not bloody but has a characteristic foul odor.
Abdominal pain and cramping are present in about 22% of patients. AMLS Page 319 (C-DIFF)
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by what pathological change?
Correct Answer: Pathophysiology AMLS Page 88 (Caused by diffuse damage to the alveoli,
perhaps as a result of shock, aspiration of gastric contents, pulmonary edema or hypoxic event.
Begins with a breakdown of the alveolar-capillary border that allows fluid to seep into the
alveoli, decreasing gas exchange in the lungs.
Healthcare providers are responding to a near-drowning at a local lake. The patient is
experiencing uncontrollable shivering and complains of nausea and weakness. The patient had
been treading water for 25 minutes and now presents with tachycardia and rapid respirations.
Core body temperature is 93.2°F (34°C). Which diagnosis is most likely? Correct Answer:
89.6F - 95.0F (Mild Hypothermia)
AMLS Page 338
Continuous positive airway pressure would be most appropriate in treating which patient?
Correct Answer: 22 year old with severe asthma and not responding to nebulizer treatments
AMLS Page 72
A local businesswoman has returned from missionary work in South Africa. She is complaining
of night sweats,chest
discomfort and a persistent cough for several weeks. Which underlying diagnosis is most likely
causing these symptoms? Correct Answer: Signs and symptoms of TB include persistent cough
for 2-3 weeks, night sweats, headache, weight loss, hemoptysis, and chest pain. AMLS Page 301
What is the initial treatment for a patient experiencing Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Non-
ketotic Syndrome (HHNS)? Correct Answer: The patient may have significant volume
depletion. Begin IV fluid resuscitation immediately. The initial fluid of choice is 0.9% normal
saline (crystalloid solution). AMLS Page 270
When assessing geriatric patients, infectious disease is more difficult to identify for all the
following reasons EXCEPT Correct Answer: Older Adult Patients. AMLS Page 325
What condition is most likely to cause respiratory acidosis? Correct Answer: In larger doses
narcotics induce respiratory depression and eventually respiratory arrest. AMLS Page 95
A 65-year-old female complains of chest pain that feels like "aching" in her chest. It has become
progressively worse over several days. Her temperature is 38.3 degrees C (100 F). Which finding
will help narrow your differential diagnosis to pericarditis? Correct Answer: 12 lead ECG will
demonstrate global ST-segment elevation in almost every lead. AMLS Page 128
During compensatory shock, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is activated to cause a/an:
Correct Answer: This selective perfusion occurs during the ischemic phase of shock. AMLS
Page 146 (To stop kidneys from excreting fluid and keeping it in the vasculature, therefore
increasing BP)
lntrabdominal bleeds, like pancreatitis, often present with discoloration or bruising around the
umbilicus. This physical exam finding is known as: Correct Answer: Cullen's sign is a blue
discoloration around the umbilicus. AMLS Page 235
What clinical findings are most commonly associated with a pulmonary embolus? Correct
Answer: Clear breath sounds with tachypnea.
Signs and Symptoms AMLS Page 113
A 50 year old female has called 911. She complains of shortness of breath and chest. discomfort.
Assessment reveals her skin
is pale, moist and cool. BP is 102/68, R 24, labored with crackles, P of 130 and regular. Which
type of shock is most likely occurring? Correct Answer: The patient's respiratory rate is
increased, and crackles caused by pulmonary edema can be heard on auscultation.
Cardiogenic Shock Signs and Symptoms.
AMLS Page 164
Patients with a history of COPD that present with an acute onset of shortness of breath are likely
to have which condition? Correct Answer: Elements of patient history that suggest PE include
acute onset of shortness of breath. AMLS Page 114
An elderly patient with a 1 week history of productive cough and wheezing notices an increase in
difficulty in breathing when grocery shopping. Further assessment reveals pursed lip breathing,
rhonchi, and minimal jugular vein distention. Which diagnosis should the healthcare provider
suspect? Correct Answer: Signs and Symptoms of COPD. AMLS Page 85
A 45 year old patient is found supine on the floor. Healthcare providers note pinpoint pupils,
shallow respirations and vomitus in and around the mouth. What course of action should be
implemented next? Correct Answer: This is self explanatory (Suction Airway)
A 20 year old female presents with a 2-day history of dyspnea, non-productive cough, chest
tightness audible wheezing. Further exam reveals no fever or strider. The patient has rapid
, respirations with difficulty exhaling. Which diagnosis is most likely? Correct Answer: These are
textbook signs of asthma
Signs and Symptoms.AMLS Page 83
Anaphylaxis is most associated with which physiological event? Correct Answer: The cutaneous
reaction may be observed as flushed, warm skin resulting from vasodilation and uticarea. AMLS
Page 162
An elderly patient is receiving care at home while recuperating from recent knee surgery. She
developed post a operative infection and has been on antibiotics for quite sometime. She is
complaining of foul smelling diarrhea, and abdominal cramping and loss of appetite. Based on
this presentation, the provider should suspect? Correct Answer: Signs and Symptoms
Patients with this illness have diarrhea that is not bloody but has a characteristic foul odor.
Abdominal pain and cramping are present in about 22% of patients. AMLS Page 319 (C-DIFF)
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by what pathological change?
Correct Answer: Pathophysiology AMLS Page 88 (Caused by diffuse damage to the alveoli,
perhaps as a result of shock, aspiration of gastric contents, pulmonary edema or hypoxic event.
Begins with a breakdown of the alveolar-capillary border that allows fluid to seep into the
alveoli, decreasing gas exchange in the lungs.
Healthcare providers are responding to a near-drowning at a local lake. The patient is
experiencing uncontrollable shivering and complains of nausea and weakness. The patient had
been treading water for 25 minutes and now presents with tachycardia and rapid respirations.
Core body temperature is 93.2°F (34°C). Which diagnosis is most likely? Correct Answer:
89.6F - 95.0F (Mild Hypothermia)
AMLS Page 338
Continuous positive airway pressure would be most appropriate in treating which patient?
Correct Answer: 22 year old with severe asthma and not responding to nebulizer treatments
AMLS Page 72
A local businesswoman has returned from missionary work in South Africa. She is complaining
of night sweats,chest
discomfort and a persistent cough for several weeks. Which underlying diagnosis is most likely
causing these symptoms? Correct Answer: Signs and symptoms of TB include persistent cough
for 2-3 weeks, night sweats, headache, weight loss, hemoptysis, and chest pain. AMLS Page 301
What is the initial treatment for a patient experiencing Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Non-
ketotic Syndrome (HHNS)? Correct Answer: The patient may have significant volume
depletion. Begin IV fluid resuscitation immediately. The initial fluid of choice is 0.9% normal
saline (crystalloid solution). AMLS Page 270
When assessing geriatric patients, infectious disease is more difficult to identify for all the
following reasons EXCEPT Correct Answer: Older Adult Patients. AMLS Page 325
