AMLS Post-test Questions & 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
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
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
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
, 5. What condition is most likely to cause respiratory acidosis?
a. Anxiety/panic attack
b. Narcotic overdose
c. Methanol ingestion
d. Diabetic ketoacidosis
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
7. Anaphylaxis is most associated with which physiological event?
a. Hemorrhage
b. Vasodilation
c. Bradycardia
d. Hypertension
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
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
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
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
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
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
, 5. What condition is most likely to cause respiratory acidosis?
a. Anxiety/panic attack
b. Narcotic overdose
c. Methanol ingestion
d. Diabetic ketoacidosis
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
7. Anaphylaxis is most associated with which physiological event?
a. Hemorrhage
b. Vasodilation
c. Bradycardia
d. Hypertension
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
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
