AMLS - Study Guide
An anxious male complains of a sore throat, fever, chills, dental pain and dyspnea. the
patient has a firm, red pronounced swelling in the sublingual anterior throat area and
tongue. What diagnosis is most likely? - answerLudwig's angina
Patients on mechanical ventilation may have hypoxemia due to alveolar collapse from
mucous plugging. The best treatment for this is: - answerAdminister PEEP
Anaphylaxis is most associated with which physiological event? - answerVasodilation
An elderly patient in an assisted living facility presents with a diminished level of
consciousness and elevated white blood count. Assessment reveals pale, clammy skin
and a urinary catherter with dark colored urine. Vital signs are P132, R 38 and shallow,
BP 78/46, SpO2 91% and T 100.8°F (32.8°C). What classification of shock is the patient
most likely experiencing? - answerDistributive
Healthcare providers are assessing a patient with pronounced jugular vein distention
and muffled heart tones. Vitals are P 128, R 26, BP 74/52. What classification of shock
should be suspected? - answerObstructive
During compensatory shock, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is activated to
cause a/an: - answerIncrease in preload, afterload and re-absorption of sodium
A 42 year old patient with a history of rheumatoid arthritis is taking glucocorticoids. Over
the past two weeks, she complains of chronic fatigue, weakness, and loss of appetite
with weight loss. Lab results indicate hyponatremia and hyperkalemia. What underlying
diagnosis is suspected? - answerAdrenal insuffiency
Which condition should the healthcare provider consider to usually be a non-emergent,
non-life threatening illness? - answerThoracic outlet syndrome
Healthcare providers should use extreme caution with nitroglycerin when ST elevation is
present in which ECG leads? - answerII, III, aVF
Which is a high-risk factor for intracerebral hemorrhage? - answerCocaine drug abuse
What is the initial treatment for a patient experiencing Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic
Nonketotic Syndrome (HHNS)? - answerCrystalloid IV fluid resuscitation
What condition is most likely to cause respiratory acidosis? - answernarcotic overdose
What is the most effective treatment for an unconscious patient in respiratory acidosis?
- answerAssisted bag-mask ventilation
,An autoimmune disease which produces antibodies that mimic the role of TSH and
cause an increase in thyroid hormones is: - answerGrave's disease
Glucagon may not be effective treatment for a patient with hypoglycemia if they also
have which underlying illness? - answerAlcoholism
A 24 year old has completed a triathlon on a hot, humid day. The athlete complains of a
severe headache, muscle cramps and abdominal pain. As the patient history is
obtained, the athlete becomes lethargic. What underlying electrolyte disturbance should
the healthcare provider most likely suspect? - answerHyponatremia
What is the sign on the ECG that will indicate a patient is experiencing hyperkalemia? -
answerPeaked T waves
An 82 year old alcoholic complains of nausea, non-bloody vomiting and severe
epigastric and right upper quadrant pain that radiates to the back. Palpation reveals
epigastric tenderness without peritoneal signs. What working diagnosis should be
considered most likely? - answerAcute pancreatitis
A 23 year old male complains of a productive cough, fever, chills and pleuritic chest
pain that has worsened over 3 days. A physical exam reveals unilateral wheezing with
shallow respirations. Vitals are P 128, R 26, BP 144/88, SpO2 90%, and T 102°F
(38.8°C). What treatment should be performed? - answerSupplemental oxygen and
immediate transport
A patient with suspected gallbladder disease is asked to take a deep breath while the
provider presses upward into the upper right quadrant. If the patient ceases inspiration
due to increase pain while being examined, this is known as: - answerMuphy's sign
The patient is alert and oriented presenting with hypotension, bradycardia, normal
capillary refill and warm, dry skin. These are cardinal signs of which type of distributive
shock? - answerNeurogenic
During what period of the communicable disease process will antibodies begin to reach
detectable levels and the infected blood will test positive for exposure to a pathogen? -
answerIncubation
The patient presents with a history of headache, weight loss, chest discomfort, night
sweats and a persistent cough for several weeks. Which infectious disease is most
likely occurring? - answerTuberculosis
A lethargic patient presents with dilated pupils and vital signs of P 122, R 26 and BP
130/80. He admits to excessive ingestion of diphenhydramine. What response is the
cause for the presenting signs and symptoms? - answerAnticholinergic
,Organophosphate poisoning will present with which signs and symptoms? -
answerSalivation and incontinence of urine and liquid stool
What medication classification should be administered to an uncooperative, agitated
patient? - answerBenzodizepine
A patient presents with mildly decreased mental status, slow respirations, bradycardia,
hypotension, has a blood sugar of 42mg/dl (2.3 mmol/L). This is most likely caused from
excessive ingestion of: - answerBeta blockers
The patient complains of a deep burning discomfort diffusely throughout the
epigastrium. This is an example of which type of pain? - answerVisceral
A 24 year old female presents with lower right quadrant abdominal pain. Her skin is hot
to the touch and she exhibits a Psoa Sign. She complains of nausea and vomiting for 2
days. What diagnosis is suspected? - answerAppendicitis
A known chronic alcoholic complains of the constant, severe mid-epigastric pain,
nausea and blood-streaked emesis. The patient has a temperature of 101.9°F (38.8°C)
and severe abdominal tenderness. What underlying diagnosis should be suspected? -
answerPancreatitis
What component of a patient's past medical history is most helpful in considering
myocardial infarction as a working diagnosis? - answerFamilial heart disease history
A patient describes an "aching" sensation in his chest. It occurred suddenly while
resting and radiates to the jaw. He self administered 1 nitroglycerin tablet without relief
and the 12 lead reveals a normal sinus rhythm with ST elevation in leads II, III, and aVF.
What working diagnosis is most likely? - answerInferior wall myocardial injury
Healthcare providers are managing a patient presenting with substernal chest
discomfort. They describe the pain as "pressure-like" and it radiates to the jaw and left
arm. The discomfort subsides with rest, oxygen and administration of nitroglycerin.
What is the most likely working diagnosis? - answerMyocardial infarction
Which infectious disease must have oxygen present to survive? - answerTuberculosis
Which best practices help to prevent the spread of infectious disease? -
answerHandwashing before and after all patient contact and standard precautions.
Continuous positive airway pressure would be most appropriate in treating which
patient? - answer22 year old with severe asthma and not responding to nebulizer
treatments
A patient has attempted suicide by ingesting ethylene glycol about 20 hours prior to
arriving for treatment. Lung sounds reveal bilateral crackles and respirations of 30 with
, symptoms of pulmonary edema and cyanosis of the lips. The ECG reveals ventricular
tachycardia. Which stage of ethylene glycol poisoning has occurred? - answer2
A patient with a history of Grave's disease presents with anxiety, profuse sweating and
a palpable goiter. Vitals are P 151, R 35 and labored, BP 84/42. Which working
diagnosis is most likely? - answerThyrotoxicosis
A patient experiences unilateral facial weakness and droop, garbled speech, altered
sense of taste and no extremity weakness. The patient has a history of Lyme's disease.
What condition is the patient likely experiencing? - answerMeningitis
Which component of the history is most crucial when assessing a potential stroke
patient? - answerTime of onset
The determination of a working diagnosis is dependent on the provider's assessment,
critical thinking and ____________________ __________________________ skills. -
answerPattern recognition
When performing a patient assessment, what information provides the most essential
information in determining a working diagnosis? - answerMedical history
Clinical reasoning requires the healthcare provider to: - answerProcess relevant
information, filter out irrelevant information
According to the AMLS Assessment Pathway, determining whether a patient is "Sick or
Not Sick" is initially done which component of the assessment process? - answerFirst
impression
Select an example of a communication barrier that impairs an efficient and thorough
assessment process. - answerThe patient can't find his hearing aid
Healthcare providers are treating an unresponsive patient who overdosed on
lorazepam. What intervention should be initiated? - answerAirway support
Addison Disease s/s - answerchronic fatigue, and weakness, loss of appetite with
consequent weight loss, hyperpigmentation of the skin
Aldosterone - answercauses the kidneys to reabsorb sodium from the renal tubules,
sodium carries water back into the vasculature to help increase BP, also creates
sensation of thirst which is the first sign of shock.
Alpha & Beta Response to Shock - answerAlpha1-triggers vasoconstriction
Beta 1- stimulates heart rate and cardiac contractility
Anaphylactic Treatment - answerEpi: 1:1,000- 0.3-0.5mg SQ every 5-15min prn
Epi: 1:10,000-0.3-0.5mg IV ovr 3-10 min every 15min prn
An anxious male complains of a sore throat, fever, chills, dental pain and dyspnea. the
patient has a firm, red pronounced swelling in the sublingual anterior throat area and
tongue. What diagnosis is most likely? - answerLudwig's angina
Patients on mechanical ventilation may have hypoxemia due to alveolar collapse from
mucous plugging. The best treatment for this is: - answerAdminister PEEP
Anaphylaxis is most associated with which physiological event? - answerVasodilation
An elderly patient in an assisted living facility presents with a diminished level of
consciousness and elevated white blood count. Assessment reveals pale, clammy skin
and a urinary catherter with dark colored urine. Vital signs are P132, R 38 and shallow,
BP 78/46, SpO2 91% and T 100.8°F (32.8°C). What classification of shock is the patient
most likely experiencing? - answerDistributive
Healthcare providers are assessing a patient with pronounced jugular vein distention
and muffled heart tones. Vitals are P 128, R 26, BP 74/52. What classification of shock
should be suspected? - answerObstructive
During compensatory shock, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is activated to
cause a/an: - answerIncrease in preload, afterload and re-absorption of sodium
A 42 year old patient with a history of rheumatoid arthritis is taking glucocorticoids. Over
the past two weeks, she complains of chronic fatigue, weakness, and loss of appetite
with weight loss. Lab results indicate hyponatremia and hyperkalemia. What underlying
diagnosis is suspected? - answerAdrenal insuffiency
Which condition should the healthcare provider consider to usually be a non-emergent,
non-life threatening illness? - answerThoracic outlet syndrome
Healthcare providers should use extreme caution with nitroglycerin when ST elevation is
present in which ECG leads? - answerII, III, aVF
Which is a high-risk factor for intracerebral hemorrhage? - answerCocaine drug abuse
What is the initial treatment for a patient experiencing Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic
Nonketotic Syndrome (HHNS)? - answerCrystalloid IV fluid resuscitation
What condition is most likely to cause respiratory acidosis? - answernarcotic overdose
What is the most effective treatment for an unconscious patient in respiratory acidosis?
- answerAssisted bag-mask ventilation
,An autoimmune disease which produces antibodies that mimic the role of TSH and
cause an increase in thyroid hormones is: - answerGrave's disease
Glucagon may not be effective treatment for a patient with hypoglycemia if they also
have which underlying illness? - answerAlcoholism
A 24 year old has completed a triathlon on a hot, humid day. The athlete complains of a
severe headache, muscle cramps and abdominal pain. As the patient history is
obtained, the athlete becomes lethargic. What underlying electrolyte disturbance should
the healthcare provider most likely suspect? - answerHyponatremia
What is the sign on the ECG that will indicate a patient is experiencing hyperkalemia? -
answerPeaked T waves
An 82 year old alcoholic complains of nausea, non-bloody vomiting and severe
epigastric and right upper quadrant pain that radiates to the back. Palpation reveals
epigastric tenderness without peritoneal signs. What working diagnosis should be
considered most likely? - answerAcute pancreatitis
A 23 year old male complains of a productive cough, fever, chills and pleuritic chest
pain that has worsened over 3 days. A physical exam reveals unilateral wheezing with
shallow respirations. Vitals are P 128, R 26, BP 144/88, SpO2 90%, and T 102°F
(38.8°C). What treatment should be performed? - answerSupplemental oxygen and
immediate transport
A patient with suspected gallbladder disease is asked to take a deep breath while the
provider presses upward into the upper right quadrant. If the patient ceases inspiration
due to increase pain while being examined, this is known as: - answerMuphy's sign
The patient is alert and oriented presenting with hypotension, bradycardia, normal
capillary refill and warm, dry skin. These are cardinal signs of which type of distributive
shock? - answerNeurogenic
During what period of the communicable disease process will antibodies begin to reach
detectable levels and the infected blood will test positive for exposure to a pathogen? -
answerIncubation
The patient presents with a history of headache, weight loss, chest discomfort, night
sweats and a persistent cough for several weeks. Which infectious disease is most
likely occurring? - answerTuberculosis
A lethargic patient presents with dilated pupils and vital signs of P 122, R 26 and BP
130/80. He admits to excessive ingestion of diphenhydramine. What response is the
cause for the presenting signs and symptoms? - answerAnticholinergic
,Organophosphate poisoning will present with which signs and symptoms? -
answerSalivation and incontinence of urine and liquid stool
What medication classification should be administered to an uncooperative, agitated
patient? - answerBenzodizepine
A patient presents with mildly decreased mental status, slow respirations, bradycardia,
hypotension, has a blood sugar of 42mg/dl (2.3 mmol/L). This is most likely caused from
excessive ingestion of: - answerBeta blockers
The patient complains of a deep burning discomfort diffusely throughout the
epigastrium. This is an example of which type of pain? - answerVisceral
A 24 year old female presents with lower right quadrant abdominal pain. Her skin is hot
to the touch and she exhibits a Psoa Sign. She complains of nausea and vomiting for 2
days. What diagnosis is suspected? - answerAppendicitis
A known chronic alcoholic complains of the constant, severe mid-epigastric pain,
nausea and blood-streaked emesis. The patient has a temperature of 101.9°F (38.8°C)
and severe abdominal tenderness. What underlying diagnosis should be suspected? -
answerPancreatitis
What component of a patient's past medical history is most helpful in considering
myocardial infarction as a working diagnosis? - answerFamilial heart disease history
A patient describes an "aching" sensation in his chest. It occurred suddenly while
resting and radiates to the jaw. He self administered 1 nitroglycerin tablet without relief
and the 12 lead reveals a normal sinus rhythm with ST elevation in leads II, III, and aVF.
What working diagnosis is most likely? - answerInferior wall myocardial injury
Healthcare providers are managing a patient presenting with substernal chest
discomfort. They describe the pain as "pressure-like" and it radiates to the jaw and left
arm. The discomfort subsides with rest, oxygen and administration of nitroglycerin.
What is the most likely working diagnosis? - answerMyocardial infarction
Which infectious disease must have oxygen present to survive? - answerTuberculosis
Which best practices help to prevent the spread of infectious disease? -
answerHandwashing before and after all patient contact and standard precautions.
Continuous positive airway pressure would be most appropriate in treating which
patient? - answer22 year old with severe asthma and not responding to nebulizer
treatments
A patient has attempted suicide by ingesting ethylene glycol about 20 hours prior to
arriving for treatment. Lung sounds reveal bilateral crackles and respirations of 30 with
, symptoms of pulmonary edema and cyanosis of the lips. The ECG reveals ventricular
tachycardia. Which stage of ethylene glycol poisoning has occurred? - answer2
A patient with a history of Grave's disease presents with anxiety, profuse sweating and
a palpable goiter. Vitals are P 151, R 35 and labored, BP 84/42. Which working
diagnosis is most likely? - answerThyrotoxicosis
A patient experiences unilateral facial weakness and droop, garbled speech, altered
sense of taste and no extremity weakness. The patient has a history of Lyme's disease.
What condition is the patient likely experiencing? - answerMeningitis
Which component of the history is most crucial when assessing a potential stroke
patient? - answerTime of onset
The determination of a working diagnosis is dependent on the provider's assessment,
critical thinking and ____________________ __________________________ skills. -
answerPattern recognition
When performing a patient assessment, what information provides the most essential
information in determining a working diagnosis? - answerMedical history
Clinical reasoning requires the healthcare provider to: - answerProcess relevant
information, filter out irrelevant information
According to the AMLS Assessment Pathway, determining whether a patient is "Sick or
Not Sick" is initially done which component of the assessment process? - answerFirst
impression
Select an example of a communication barrier that impairs an efficient and thorough
assessment process. - answerThe patient can't find his hearing aid
Healthcare providers are treating an unresponsive patient who overdosed on
lorazepam. What intervention should be initiated? - answerAirway support
Addison Disease s/s - answerchronic fatigue, and weakness, loss of appetite with
consequent weight loss, hyperpigmentation of the skin
Aldosterone - answercauses the kidneys to reabsorb sodium from the renal tubules,
sodium carries water back into the vasculature to help increase BP, also creates
sensation of thirst which is the first sign of shock.
Alpha & Beta Response to Shock - answerAlpha1-triggers vasoconstriction
Beta 1- stimulates heart rate and cardiac contractility
Anaphylactic Treatment - answerEpi: 1:1,000- 0.3-0.5mg SQ every 5-15min prn
Epi: 1:10,000-0.3-0.5mg IV ovr 3-10 min every 15min prn
