AMLS Flashcards
A 27-year-old male is agitated and talks continuously. His pupils are dilated. He admits to being awake for 36 hours straight. Vital signs are BP 188/98, P 140, R 30. What type of overdose
should you suspect?
Bath Salts
An alert 49-year-old male complains of a headache. He has tremors in his hands and has been
in the detoxification unit for 38 hours. He has a history of alcoholism. Vital signs are BP 168/96,
P 104, R 22. What is he most at risk for?
Seizure
A patient complains of nausea and is passing black, tarry stools. What should you suspect?
Upper GI bleeding
A 49-year-oid male presents in a tripod position with audible stridor and marked respiratory
distress. His skin is flushed, and he complains of dysphagia. What should you suspect?
Epiglottitis
60-year-old female complains of indigestion and mild upper abdominal discomfort. What
should you do?
Acquire a 12-lead ECG and transport to a cardiac center
A 45-year-oid female reports a headache, vertigo, and leg cramps after exercising. Vital signs
are BP 108/62, P 124, R 18, Temp 100.6°F (38.1°C), and SpO2 98%. What should you do?
Provide oral fluid replacement
An alert 22-year-old male complains of a “lump in his throat” and a hoarse voice after a failed
suicide attempt. He unsuccessfully attempted to hang himself with a bed sheet. Vital signs are
BP 150/80, P 120, R 16, SpO2 88%, ETCO2 40 mmHg. What should you do?
Administer oxygen and transport to a trauma center
Which of the following is a hailmark sign of tricyclic antidepressant toxicity?
Dysrhythmias
A 68-year-old femaie who has a history of COPD may rely on which of the following breathing
mechanics?
A decrease in the oxygen level in the blood as the stimulus to breathe
A 45-year-old female is supine on the floor. Her pupils are pinpoint, and she has vomitus in and
around her mouth. Vital signs are P 48, R 8 with gurgling. What should you do?
Suction the airway
What is an age-reiated change that increases the risk of respiratory compromise?
Decrease in lung compliance
A 71-year-old female complains of shortness of breath. She has a productive cough that has
increased in severity over the last week. She speaks in 1- to 2-word broken sentences with
pursed lips. What should you suspect?
COPD
A 33-year-old female is threatening suicide because her partner left her. Which of the following
would be an appropriate response?
“What was your plan to kill yourself ?*
A 62-year-old female presents with severe nausea and blurred vision that began while watching
TV. She describes the headache as the worst headache she has ever had in her life. Vital signs
are BP 194/110, P 98, R 20. What should you suspect?
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
An 82-year-old female complains of foul-smelling diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and loss of
appetite. She developed an infection following knee surgery 2 weeks ago. She is prescribed
antibiotics. What should you suspect?
Clostridium difficile
A 13-year-old male has been skateboarding in temperatures of 100 °F (37.7°C) and has been
drinking caffeinated soft drinks. He complains of palpitations. The cardiac monitor displays a
narrow-QRS tachycardia at a rate of 150 beats/minute. Vital signs are BP 108/62, R 24. What
should you do?
Transport the patient by ambulance, monitor closely, and administer fluids en route.
A 44-year-old female complains of a sudden onset of sharp pain in her right flank that radiates
to her groin area. Intermittently the pain becomes very severe. She also reports nausea. Vital
signs are BP 152/94, P 104, R 16, SpO2 98%. What is the most likely cause?
Kidney Stones
A 30-year-old female complains of acute chest tightness, shortness of breath, and a
nonproductive cough. She states that this happens frequently and usually resolves after using
her “inhaler.” What should you suspect?
Asthma
What respiratory changes are common in obese patients?
Decreased tidal volume
A 41-year-old female has returned from missionary work in South Africa. She reports night
sweats, chest discomfort, and a persistent cough for the past several weeks. What should you
suspect?
Tuberculosis
What type of shock is caused by a cardiac tamponade?
Obstructive
Metabolic acidosis is best described by which arterial blood gas results?
pH decreased, Pco2 decreased, H2CO3 low
An elderly patient has COPD. What clinical finding should concern you the most?
Respiratory rate of 36/min
A 52-year-old male is suffering from acute chest pain after physical exercises. He is pale, cool, and clammy. Vital signs are BP 88/40, P 110, R 22, SpO2 96%. What should you do?
Acquire a 12-lead ECG
A 26-year-old male has abdominal pain. He is able to pinpoint exactly where it hurts, experiences rebound tenderness on physical exam, and guards the affected area. Which type of pain should you suspect?
Somatic
A 15-year-old male complains of lower abdominal pain with nausea. He is in the fetal position
and states, “It hurts to walk.” What should you suspect?
Appendicitis
A 27-year-old male is breathing fast and deep. He works at a preschool and believes that the
children plan to harm him. Which of the following statements is most helpful when treating this
patient?
“I understand that you are concerned. Please tell me more about why you feel this way.”
Continuous positive airway pressure would be most beneficial in treating which of the following
patients?
A 22-year-old with severe asthma that is unresponsive to albuterol treatments
It is 0600 hours and you are treating a 63-year-old female with slurred speech, facial droop, and
altered mental status. At 0400 hours, her husband heard her go to the bathroom. At 2300 hours
they went to bed and everything was “fine.” How should you report the last time she was known
normal?
2300 hrs
A 22-year-old male has recently undergone a surgical procedure to repair an injury to thoracic
vertebrae T1-T2. Assessment indicates the patient is alert and oriented, bradycardic, hypotensive, and has warm, dry skin. Which type of shock is most likely occurring?
Neurogenic
A 45-year-oid male complains of shortness of breath. He has a history of alcohol abuse and
presents with severe ascites. Vital signs are BP 142/78, P 104, R 24 with crackles. What should
you suspect?
Liver failure
An 18-year-old male nearly drowned at a local lake after treading water for 25 minutes. He is
shivering uncontrollably and complains of nausea and weakness. Vital signs are BP 122/62, R
28, P 136, and his temperature is 93.2°F (34°C). What should you suspect?
Mild hypothermia
What is the initial treatment for a patient experiencing hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state
(HHS)?
Normal saline
What condition causes paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea?
Left-sided heart failure
A confused 67-year-old male has vomited multiple times prior to EMS arrival. He was involved
in a car crash 48 hour prior. Bystanders state he became increasingly confused and lost
coordination since the crash. Vitals signs are BP 150/88, P 72, R 18, BGL 92 mg/dL. What
should you suspect?
Subdural hematoma
Anaphylaxis is most commonly associated with which physioiogical event?
Vascdilation
An anxious 61-year-old male complains of severe shortness of breath and localized chest pain
with blood-tinged sputum. His dyspnea started when he stood up from watching television all
day and increased in severity as he moved around. Vital signs are BP 104/60, P 98 and irregular, R 26 and labored. What should you suspect?
Pulmonary embolism
A 72-year-oid femaie compiains of a sudden onset of a burning sensation to the left side of her
forehead and blurred vision. She wants to follow up with her primary care physician tomorrow.
Vital signs are BP 150/70, P 80, R 16. What should you do?
Encourage her to be transported by ambulance to the hospital.
A 21-year-old male complains of sharp chest pain and shortness of breath. The symptoms
started when he lifted a heavy object. Vital signs are BP 152/96, P 108, R 24 and diminished on
the left. What should you suspect?
Spontaneous pneumothorax
What finding is unique to pericarditis?
Diffuse ST segment elevation
Which of the following statements is correct regarding radioactive material”
Simple clothing can stop beta particles from entering the body
What reference is the MOST beneficial to obtain for a suspected stroke?
Last known well
What statement is correct regarding responding to a suspected nerve agent exposure?
Patients should be treated in well-ventilated areas
An anxious 32-year-old female compiains of chest pain with palpitations. She has a history of
Graves’ disease. She reports she was seen in the ED earlier that day and had a CT scan of her
abdomen with IV contrast. She is diaphoretic and has a temperature of 101.5°F (38.6°C). Vital
signs are BP 100/62, P 156, R 30, BLG 133 mg/dL. What should you administer?
Normal saline
An elderly COPD patient complains of difficulty in breathing upon exertion. She has a 1-week
history of productive cough. She has pursed lip breathing. She is prescribed a bronchodilator as
needed. Vital signs are BP 132/70, P 88, R 20 with rhonchi. What should you suspect?
Chronic bronchitis
The renin-angiotensin-aidosterone system is activated during shock in order to cause which of
the following?
Increase in preload, afterload, and reabsorption of sodium
20-year-old male compiains of severe pain after a jellyfish sting. He has a red, swollen ankle
and foot. What should you do?
Wash the area and administer an analgesic
20-year-old male coliege student complains of acute onset of fever, headache, vomiting, and
malaise. He appears ill and has a petechial rash on his extremities. What should you suspect?
Meningitis
A quadriplegic male is experiencing difficulty breathing and restlessness. His skin is warm and
his urine is dark yellow and cloudy. Vital signs are BP 86/68, P 128, R 24, temperature 101.2 °F
(38°C). Which type of shock should you suspect?
Septic
Which of the following may cause primary respiratory alkalosis?
Fever
