Advanced Medical Life Support - Study Guide Updated
2026
A 28 year old female is being evaluated for an acute onset of an altera on in menta on. She
complained of a s ff neck and persistent headache. Vital signs are P112, R22 and regular, BP
144/88, SpO2 95% and T 102.3F (39C). The healthcare provider should observe for which
complica on?
Seizure
A 45 year old pa ent is found supine on the floor of the Triage area. Healthcare providers
note pinpoint pupils, shallow respira ons and vomitus in and around the mouth. What
course of ac on should be implemented next?
Supplemental oxygen and suc on
Pa ents with a history of chronic bronchi s that present with shortness of breath are likely
to have which condi on?
Pulmonary embolism
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by what pathological change?
Breakdown of fluid between the alveolar-capillary membrane
An anxious male complains of a sore throat, fever, chills, dental pain and dyspnea. the
pa ent has a firm, red pronounced swelling in the sublingual anterior throat area and
tongue. What diagnosis is most likely?
Ludwig's angina
Pa ents on mechanical ven la on may have hypoxemia due to alveolar collapse from
mucous plugging. The best treatment for this is:
Administer PEEP
An elderly pa ent 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 classifica on of shock is the pa ent most likely
experiencing?
Distribu ve
,Healthcare providers are assessing a pa ent with pronounced jugular vein disten on and
muffled heart tones. Vitals are P 128, R 26, BP 74/52. What classifica on of shock should be
suspected?
Obstruc ve
A 42 year old pa ent with a history of rheumatoid arthri s is taking glucocor coids. Over the
past two weeks, she complains of chronic fa gue, weakness, and loss of appe te with
weight loss. Lab results indicate hyponatremia and hyperkalemia. What underlying diagnosis
is suspected?
Adrenal insufficiency
Which condi on should the healthcare provider consider to usually be a non-emergent, non-
life threatening illness?
Thoracic outlet syndrome
Healthcare providers should use extreme cau on with nitroglycerin when ST eleva on is
present in which ECG leads?
II, III, aVF
Which is a high-risk factor for intracerebral hemorrhage?
Cocaine drug abuse
What is the ini al treatment for a pa ent experiencing Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic
Nonketo c Syndrome (HHNS)?
Crystalloid IV fluid resuscita on
What is the most effec ve treatment for an unconscious pa ent in respiratory acidosis?
Assisted bag-mask ven la on
An autoimmune disease which produces an bodies that mimic the role of TSH and cause an
increase in thyroid hormones is:
Grave's disease
Glucagon may not be effec ve treatment for a pa ent with hypoglycemia if they also have
which underlying illness?
Alcoholism
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 pa ent history is obtained, the
athlete becomes lethargic. What underlying electrolyte disturbance should the healthcare
provider most likely suspect?
, Hyponatremia
An 82 year old alcoholic complains of nausea, non-bloody vomi ng and severe epigastric
and right upper quadrant pain that radiates to the back. Palpa on reveals epigastric
tenderness without peritoneal signs. What working diagnosis should be considered most
likely?
Acute pancrea s
A 23 year old male complains of a produc ve cough, fever, chills and pleuri c chest pain that
has worsened over 3 days. A physical exam reveals unilateral wheezing with shallow
respira ons. Vitals are P 128, R 26, BP 144/88, SpO2 90%, and T 102°F (38.8°C). What
treatment should be performed?
Supplemental Oxygen and immediate transport
A pa ent with suspected gallbladder disease is asked to take a deep breath while the
provider presses upward into the upper right quadrant. If the pa ent ceases inspira on due
to increase pain while being examined, this is known as:
Murphy's Sign
The pa ent is alert and oriented presen ng with hypotension, bradycardia, normal capillary
refill and warm, dry skin. These are cardinal signs of which type of distribu ve shock?
Neurogenic
During what period of the communicable disease process will an bodies begin to reach
detectable levels and the infected blood will test posi ve for exposure to a pathogen?
Incuba on
The pa ent presents with a history of headache, weight loss, chest discomfort, night sweats
and a persistent cough for several weeks. Which infec ous disease is most likely occurring?
Tuberculosis
A lethargic pa ent presents with dilated pupils and vital signs of P 122, R 26 and BP 130/80.
He admits to excessive inges on of diphenhydramine. What response is the cause for the
presen ng signs and symptoms?
An cholinergic
What medica on classifica on should be administered to an uncoopera ve, agitated
pa ent?
Benzodiazepine
2026
A 28 year old female is being evaluated for an acute onset of an altera on in menta on. She
complained of a s ff neck and persistent headache. Vital signs are P112, R22 and regular, BP
144/88, SpO2 95% and T 102.3F (39C). The healthcare provider should observe for which
complica on?
Seizure
A 45 year old pa ent is found supine on the floor of the Triage area. Healthcare providers
note pinpoint pupils, shallow respira ons and vomitus in and around the mouth. What
course of ac on should be implemented next?
Supplemental oxygen and suc on
Pa ents with a history of chronic bronchi s that present with shortness of breath are likely
to have which condi on?
Pulmonary embolism
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by what pathological change?
Breakdown of fluid between the alveolar-capillary membrane
An anxious male complains of a sore throat, fever, chills, dental pain and dyspnea. the
pa ent has a firm, red pronounced swelling in the sublingual anterior throat area and
tongue. What diagnosis is most likely?
Ludwig's angina
Pa ents on mechanical ven la on may have hypoxemia due to alveolar collapse from
mucous plugging. The best treatment for this is:
Administer PEEP
An elderly pa ent 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 classifica on of shock is the pa ent most likely
experiencing?
Distribu ve
,Healthcare providers are assessing a pa ent with pronounced jugular vein disten on and
muffled heart tones. Vitals are P 128, R 26, BP 74/52. What classifica on of shock should be
suspected?
Obstruc ve
A 42 year old pa ent with a history of rheumatoid arthri s is taking glucocor coids. Over the
past two weeks, she complains of chronic fa gue, weakness, and loss of appe te with
weight loss. Lab results indicate hyponatremia and hyperkalemia. What underlying diagnosis
is suspected?
Adrenal insufficiency
Which condi on should the healthcare provider consider to usually be a non-emergent, non-
life threatening illness?
Thoracic outlet syndrome
Healthcare providers should use extreme cau on with nitroglycerin when ST eleva on is
present in which ECG leads?
II, III, aVF
Which is a high-risk factor for intracerebral hemorrhage?
Cocaine drug abuse
What is the ini al treatment for a pa ent experiencing Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic
Nonketo c Syndrome (HHNS)?
Crystalloid IV fluid resuscita on
What is the most effec ve treatment for an unconscious pa ent in respiratory acidosis?
Assisted bag-mask ven la on
An autoimmune disease which produces an bodies that mimic the role of TSH and cause an
increase in thyroid hormones is:
Grave's disease
Glucagon may not be effec ve treatment for a pa ent with hypoglycemia if they also have
which underlying illness?
Alcoholism
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 pa ent history is obtained, the
athlete becomes lethargic. What underlying electrolyte disturbance should the healthcare
provider most likely suspect?
, Hyponatremia
An 82 year old alcoholic complains of nausea, non-bloody vomi ng and severe epigastric
and right upper quadrant pain that radiates to the back. Palpa on reveals epigastric
tenderness without peritoneal signs. What working diagnosis should be considered most
likely?
Acute pancrea s
A 23 year old male complains of a produc ve cough, fever, chills and pleuri c chest pain that
has worsened over 3 days. A physical exam reveals unilateral wheezing with shallow
respira ons. Vitals are P 128, R 26, BP 144/88, SpO2 90%, and T 102°F (38.8°C). What
treatment should be performed?
Supplemental Oxygen and immediate transport
A pa ent with suspected gallbladder disease is asked to take a deep breath while the
provider presses upward into the upper right quadrant. If the pa ent ceases inspira on due
to increase pain while being examined, this is known as:
Murphy's Sign
The pa ent is alert and oriented presen ng with hypotension, bradycardia, normal capillary
refill and warm, dry skin. These are cardinal signs of which type of distribu ve shock?
Neurogenic
During what period of the communicable disease process will an bodies begin to reach
detectable levels and the infected blood will test posi ve for exposure to a pathogen?
Incuba on
The pa ent presents with a history of headache, weight loss, chest discomfort, night sweats
and a persistent cough for several weeks. Which infec ous disease is most likely occurring?
Tuberculosis
A lethargic pa ent presents with dilated pupils and vital signs of P 122, R 26 and BP 130/80.
He admits to excessive inges on of diphenhydramine. What response is the cause for the
presen ng signs and symptoms?
An cholinergic
What medica on classifica on should be administered to an uncoopera ve, agitated
pa ent?
Benzodiazepine
