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