AMLS Post Test Questions & Answers 2026 | High-Yield
Review | Graded A+
1. A patient complaining of a 3-day history of left lower abdominal pain
describes it as sharp and, during the focused physical exam, the pain
intensifies during palpation over the site. Differentials should include:
Peritonitis or intestinal obstruction
Ectopic pregnancy or diverticulitis
Appendicitis or hepatitis
Pancreatitis or gall bladder infection
2. Discuss why ectopic pregnancy and diverticulitis are important
considerations in the differential diagnosis for left lower abdominal pain.
Ectopic pregnancy is a common diagnosis in males, making it relevant.
Diverticulitis is only relevant in older patients, making it less important.
Ectopic pregnancy and diverticulitis are critical to consider because
they can both present with similar symptoms and may require
different urgent interventions.
Ectopic pregnancy is less serious than diverticulitis and can be
ignored.
3. Intra-abdominal bleeds, like pancreatitis, often present with discoloration or
bruising around the umbilicus. This physical exam finding is known as:
Cullen's sign
Murphy's sign
Roving's sign
Psoas sign
,4. Patients with a history of COPD that present with an acute onset of shortness
of breath are likely to have what condition?
Pulmonary embolism
Angioedema
Hypertensive crisis
Angina pectoris
5. In a scenario where a patient presents with clear breath sounds and
tachypnea, what should be the immediate next step in management if a
pulmonary embolus is suspected?
Provide fluids and monitor vital signs.
Administer bronchodilators and reassess breath sounds.
Start CPR immediately.
Administer supplemental oxygen and prepare for further diagnostic
imaging.
6. In a clinical scenario, an elderly patient presents with shortness of breath.
Considering age-related changes, which intervention would be most
appropriate to address their respiratory compromise?
Increase the patient's respiratory rate through stimulation.
Encourage deep breathing exercises to increase lung compliance.
Provide bronchodilators to decrease airway resistance.
Administer supplemental oxygen to improve oxygenation.
7. What is a common symptom associated with pericarditis that can help in
diagnosis?
, Shortness of breath
Chest pain that worsens with inspiration
Nausea and vomiting
Severe abdominal pain
8. Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic state (HHNK) is often caused by a
precipitating event like an MI, stroke or surgery which is more common in
DM2. In this state there is just enough insulin to prevent lipolysis and
ketogenesis, but not enough insulin for cells to incorporate glucose. This
state is characterized by severe hyperglycemia of 800-2400 mg/dL. What is
managed first in this condition?
management of of precipitating disease/operation
insulin
fluids
electrolytes
9. A 73-year old client is post-op 5 from a total hip arthroplasty. He has become
increasingly restless over the past 1/2 hour and is reporting chest pain, is
tachycardic and short of breath, finding it difficult to complete sentences.
What is the most-likely cause of these symptoms?
COPD exacerbation
Pneumonia
Pleural effusion
Pulmonary embolism
, 10. A quadriplegic male is experiencing difficulty breathing and restlessness. His
skin is warm and his muring is dark yellow and cloudy. Vitals are BP 86/68, P
128, R 24, Temp 101.2. What type of shock should you suspect?
Septic
Obstructive
Hypovolemic
Cardiogenic
11. Describe how cardiac tamponade leads to obstructive shock in a patient.
Cardiac tamponade restricts the heart's ability to pump effectively,
leading to obstructive shock.
Cardiac tamponade leads to systemic infection, resulting in septic
shock.
Cardiac tamponade causes fluid loss, resulting in hypovolemic shock.
Cardiac tamponade increases heart rate, causing cardiogenic shock.
12. A patient presents anxious with difficulty in breathing and chest pain. An
assessment reveals hypotension, muffled heart tones, and distended neck
veins. There is a past medical history of pericarditis. The provider notes that
there is a decrease in systolic blood pressure when the patient inhales.
Which diagnosis would be considered with this presentation?
Tension pneumothorax
Pneumonia
Acute coronary syndrome
Cardiac tamponade
Review | Graded A+
1. A patient complaining of a 3-day history of left lower abdominal pain
describes it as sharp and, during the focused physical exam, the pain
intensifies during palpation over the site. Differentials should include:
Peritonitis or intestinal obstruction
Ectopic pregnancy or diverticulitis
Appendicitis or hepatitis
Pancreatitis or gall bladder infection
2. Discuss why ectopic pregnancy and diverticulitis are important
considerations in the differential diagnosis for left lower abdominal pain.
Ectopic pregnancy is a common diagnosis in males, making it relevant.
Diverticulitis is only relevant in older patients, making it less important.
Ectopic pregnancy and diverticulitis are critical to consider because
they can both present with similar symptoms and may require
different urgent interventions.
Ectopic pregnancy is less serious than diverticulitis and can be
ignored.
3. Intra-abdominal bleeds, like pancreatitis, often present with discoloration or
bruising around the umbilicus. This physical exam finding is known as:
Cullen's sign
Murphy's sign
Roving's sign
Psoas sign
,4. Patients with a history of COPD that present with an acute onset of shortness
of breath are likely to have what condition?
Pulmonary embolism
Angioedema
Hypertensive crisis
Angina pectoris
5. In a scenario where a patient presents with clear breath sounds and
tachypnea, what should be the immediate next step in management if a
pulmonary embolus is suspected?
Provide fluids and monitor vital signs.
Administer bronchodilators and reassess breath sounds.
Start CPR immediately.
Administer supplemental oxygen and prepare for further diagnostic
imaging.
6. In a clinical scenario, an elderly patient presents with shortness of breath.
Considering age-related changes, which intervention would be most
appropriate to address their respiratory compromise?
Increase the patient's respiratory rate through stimulation.
Encourage deep breathing exercises to increase lung compliance.
Provide bronchodilators to decrease airway resistance.
Administer supplemental oxygen to improve oxygenation.
7. What is a common symptom associated with pericarditis that can help in
diagnosis?
, Shortness of breath
Chest pain that worsens with inspiration
Nausea and vomiting
Severe abdominal pain
8. Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic state (HHNK) is often caused by a
precipitating event like an MI, stroke or surgery which is more common in
DM2. In this state there is just enough insulin to prevent lipolysis and
ketogenesis, but not enough insulin for cells to incorporate glucose. This
state is characterized by severe hyperglycemia of 800-2400 mg/dL. What is
managed first in this condition?
management of of precipitating disease/operation
insulin
fluids
electrolytes
9. A 73-year old client is post-op 5 from a total hip arthroplasty. He has become
increasingly restless over the past 1/2 hour and is reporting chest pain, is
tachycardic and short of breath, finding it difficult to complete sentences.
What is the most-likely cause of these symptoms?
COPD exacerbation
Pneumonia
Pleural effusion
Pulmonary embolism
, 10. A quadriplegic male is experiencing difficulty breathing and restlessness. His
skin is warm and his muring is dark yellow and cloudy. Vitals are BP 86/68, P
128, R 24, Temp 101.2. What type of shock should you suspect?
Septic
Obstructive
Hypovolemic
Cardiogenic
11. Describe how cardiac tamponade leads to obstructive shock in a patient.
Cardiac tamponade restricts the heart's ability to pump effectively,
leading to obstructive shock.
Cardiac tamponade leads to systemic infection, resulting in septic
shock.
Cardiac tamponade causes fluid loss, resulting in hypovolemic shock.
Cardiac tamponade increases heart rate, causing cardiogenic shock.
12. A patient presents anxious with difficulty in breathing and chest pain. An
assessment reveals hypotension, muffled heart tones, and distended neck
veins. There is a past medical history of pericarditis. The provider notes that
there is a decrease in systolic blood pressure when the patient inhales.
Which diagnosis would be considered with this presentation?
Tension pneumothorax
Pneumonia
Acute coronary syndrome
Cardiac tamponade
