AMLS POST TEST EXAM: ADVANCED
MEDICAL LIFE SUPPORT, 2025/2026 WITH
CORRECT/ACCURATE ANSWERS
ADVANCED MEDICAL LIFE SUPPORT
VERSION A
What condition is most likely to cause respiratory acidosis? - 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? - 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: - 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: -
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? - 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? - 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? - 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? - 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? - 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? - ANSWER- These are textbook
signs of asthma
Signs and Symptoms.AMLS Page 83
Anaphylaxis is most associated with which physiological event? -
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? - 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? - 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? - ANSWER- 89.6F - 95.0F (Mild
Hypothermia)
AMLS Page 338
Continuous positive airway pressure would be most appropriate in
treating which patient? - 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? - 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)? - 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 - ANSWER- Older Adult
Patients. AMLS Page 325
Your patient has had a seizure secondary to a nerve agent exposure.
What medication would be best to diminish the seizure? - ANSWER- If
seizures develop administer diazepam (Valium) or lorazepam (Ativan).
AMLS Page 424 (Treat seizure before treating for the exposure to the
nerve agent)
A caregiver for a quadriplegic patient notes an onset of difficulty in
breathing and anxiousness in her patient. Further assessment shows a
MEDICAL LIFE SUPPORT, 2025/2026 WITH
CORRECT/ACCURATE ANSWERS
ADVANCED MEDICAL LIFE SUPPORT
VERSION A
What condition is most likely to cause respiratory acidosis? - 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? - 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: - 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: -
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? - 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? - 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? - 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? - 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? - 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? - ANSWER- These are textbook
signs of asthma
Signs and Symptoms.AMLS Page 83
Anaphylaxis is most associated with which physiological event? -
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? - 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? - 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? - ANSWER- 89.6F - 95.0F (Mild
Hypothermia)
AMLS Page 338
Continuous positive airway pressure would be most appropriate in
treating which patient? - 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? - 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)? - 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 - ANSWER- Older Adult
Patients. AMLS Page 325
Your patient has had a seizure secondary to a nerve agent exposure.
What medication would be best to diminish the seizure? - ANSWER- If
seizures develop administer diazepam (Valium) or lorazepam (Ativan).
AMLS Page 424 (Treat seizure before treating for the exposure to the
nerve agent)
A caregiver for a quadriplegic patient notes an onset of difficulty in
breathing and anxiousness in her patient. Further assessment shows a
