Physical & Mental Health Assessments Flashcards
6 cards from real AME practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Physical & Mental Health Assessments flashcards as text
When conducting a mental health assessment on a pilot applicant, which behavioral observation during the examination itself is most clinically significant?
Answer: Disorganized speech, flight of ideas, or grandiose statements suggesting a manic episode
Disorganized speech, flight of ideas, and grandiosity are clinical signs of a manic episode and represent active psychiatric pathology that is directly relevant to fitness for aviation duties.
Which cardiovascular examination finding requires the AME to obtain a cardiology specialist evaluation before proceeding with First-Class certification?
Answer: A new systolic heart murmur graded 3/6 at the left sternal border in a 48-year-old
A new, moderately loud systolic murmur (3/6) in a middle-aged applicant may indicate aortic stenosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or other structural cardiac disease requiring cardiology evaluation before First-Class certification.
An applicant with a history of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reports completing evidence-based treatment 3 years ago with full remission and no current medication. What is the most appropriate certification approach?
Answer: Defer to AMCD with psychiatric evaluation; resolved PTSD may qualify for Authorization
PTSD is not listed as a categorically disqualifying condition, but any history of significant psychiatric condition requires AMCD review to confirm full remission and absence of ongoing impairment.
During abdominal palpation in a physical examination for a Second-Class certificate, the AME finds a pulsatile abdominal mass in the epigastric region of a 62-year-old male applicant. What is the immediate next step?
Answer: Advise urgent evaluation for abdominal aortic aneurysm and defer certification pending imaging results
A pulsatile epigastric mass is the classic physical finding of an abdominal aortic aneurysm - a potentially life-threatening condition requiring urgent imaging evaluation before any aviation certification determination.
What is the primary purpose of the Romberg test in an aviation medical examination?
Answer: Evaluation of vestibular and proprioceptive function as contributors to balance
The Romberg test specifically assesses the integrity of vestibular and proprioceptive inputs to balance, as the eyes-closed condition eliminates visual compensation - revealing deficits in these sensory systems.
A 40-year-old applicant for First-Class certification reports chronic low back pain managed with ibuprofen as needed. The physical exam reveals normal neurological findings and full range of motion. What is the appropriate certification action?
Answer: Issue the certificate; controlled musculoskeletal pain with normal function and no disqualifying medication does not preclude certification
Musculoskeletal back pain managed with OTC NSAIDs with normal neurological exam and full range of motion does not meet the threshold for any disqualifying condition under 14 CFR Part 67.