AMLS Post Test Questions and Answers
1. 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 taken next?
a. Initiate an IV and administer naloxone
b. Supplemental oxygen and suction
c. Obtain a blood glucose level
d. Begin BVM ventilations - ANSWERb. Supplemental oxygen and suction
2. Patients with a history of COPD that present with an acute onset of shortness of
breath are likely to have what condition?
a. Pulmonary embolism
b. Angina pectoris
c. Angioedema
d. Hypertensive crisis - ANSWERa. Pulmonary embolism
3. During compensatory shock, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is activated to
cause a/an:
a. Increase in preload, afterload, and re-absorption of sodium
b. Decrease in preload, afterload, and re-absorption of sodium
c. Hypotension and bradycardia
d. Vasodilation and sodium retention - ANSWERa. Increase in preload, afterload, and
re-absorption of sodium
4. What clinical findings are most commonly associated with a pulmonary embolus?
a. Clear breath sounds with tachypnea
b. Rhonchi auscultated bilaterally with hypercarbia
c. Crackles heard in the bases with bradycardia
d. Fever, tachycardia, and tachypnea with increased work of breathing - ANSWERa.
Clear breath sounds with tachypnea
5. What condition is most likely to cause respiratory acidosis?
a. Anxiety/panic attack
b. Narcotic overdose
c. Methanol ingestion
d. Diabetic ketoacidosis - ANSWERb. Narcotic overdose
, 6. A 55-year-old complains of an 'aching' chest discomfort that persists over several
days. The patient has a temperature of 101F (38.3C). Which finding will help narrow the
diagnosis to pericarditis?
a. Pain is relieved when supine
b. Pulsus alternans is present
c. S3 gallop is auscultated
d. ST-segment elevation in all leads - ANSWERd. ST-segment elevation in all leads
7. Anaphylaxis is most associated with which physiological event?
a. Hemorrhage
b. Vasodilation
c. Bradycardia
d. Hypertension - ANSWERb. Vasodilation
8. Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by what pathological
change?
a. Excessive mucous production
b. Inflammation of the visceral pleura
c. Breakdown of the alveolar-capillary membrane
d. Accumulation of fluid between the pleural layers - ANSWERc. Breakdown of the
alveolar-capillary membrane
9. Continuous positive airway pressure would be most beneficial in treating which
patient?
a. A 43yo with a decreased LOC with respiratory difficulty
b. A 22yo with severe asthma who is not responding to nebulizer treatments
c. A 38yo with carpal pedal spasms, clear lung sounds, and respirations of 40/min
d. A 55yo with jugular vein distension and a BP of 90/60 - ANSWERb. A 22yo with
severe asthma who is not responding to nebulizer treatments
10. What is the initial treatment for a patient experiencing hyperosmolar hyperglycemic
nonketotic coma (HHNC)?
a. Crystalloid IV fluid administration
b. Administration of dextrose
c. Administration of insulin
d. Fluid bolus of 5% dextrose in water (D5W) - ANSWERa. Crystalloid IV fluid
administration
11. Your patient has had a seizure secondary to a nerve agent exposure. What
medication would be best to diminish the seizure?
a. Atropine
1. 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 taken next?
a. Initiate an IV and administer naloxone
b. Supplemental oxygen and suction
c. Obtain a blood glucose level
d. Begin BVM ventilations - ANSWERb. Supplemental oxygen and suction
2. Patients with a history of COPD that present with an acute onset of shortness of
breath are likely to have what condition?
a. Pulmonary embolism
b. Angina pectoris
c. Angioedema
d. Hypertensive crisis - ANSWERa. Pulmonary embolism
3. During compensatory shock, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is activated to
cause a/an:
a. Increase in preload, afterload, and re-absorption of sodium
b. Decrease in preload, afterload, and re-absorption of sodium
c. Hypotension and bradycardia
d. Vasodilation and sodium retention - ANSWERa. Increase in preload, afterload, and
re-absorption of sodium
4. What clinical findings are most commonly associated with a pulmonary embolus?
a. Clear breath sounds with tachypnea
b. Rhonchi auscultated bilaterally with hypercarbia
c. Crackles heard in the bases with bradycardia
d. Fever, tachycardia, and tachypnea with increased work of breathing - ANSWERa.
Clear breath sounds with tachypnea
5. What condition is most likely to cause respiratory acidosis?
a. Anxiety/panic attack
b. Narcotic overdose
c. Methanol ingestion
d. Diabetic ketoacidosis - ANSWERb. Narcotic overdose
, 6. A 55-year-old complains of an 'aching' chest discomfort that persists over several
days. The patient has a temperature of 101F (38.3C). Which finding will help narrow the
diagnosis to pericarditis?
a. Pain is relieved when supine
b. Pulsus alternans is present
c. S3 gallop is auscultated
d. ST-segment elevation in all leads - ANSWERd. ST-segment elevation in all leads
7. Anaphylaxis is most associated with which physiological event?
a. Hemorrhage
b. Vasodilation
c. Bradycardia
d. Hypertension - ANSWERb. Vasodilation
8. Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by what pathological
change?
a. Excessive mucous production
b. Inflammation of the visceral pleura
c. Breakdown of the alveolar-capillary membrane
d. Accumulation of fluid between the pleural layers - ANSWERc. Breakdown of the
alveolar-capillary membrane
9. Continuous positive airway pressure would be most beneficial in treating which
patient?
a. A 43yo with a decreased LOC with respiratory difficulty
b. A 22yo with severe asthma who is not responding to nebulizer treatments
c. A 38yo with carpal pedal spasms, clear lung sounds, and respirations of 40/min
d. A 55yo with jugular vein distension and a BP of 90/60 - ANSWERb. A 22yo with
severe asthma who is not responding to nebulizer treatments
10. What is the initial treatment for a patient experiencing hyperosmolar hyperglycemic
nonketotic coma (HHNC)?
a. Crystalloid IV fluid administration
b. Administration of dextrose
c. Administration of insulin
d. Fluid bolus of 5% dextrose in water (D5W) - ANSWERa. Crystalloid IV fluid
administration
11. Your patient has had a seizure secondary to a nerve agent exposure. What
medication would be best to diminish the seizure?
a. Atropine
