Airway Obstruction and Choking Flashcards
7 cards from real CPR practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Airway Obstruction and Choking flashcards as text
What is the universal sign that a person is choking?
Answer: Clutching the throat with both hands
Clutching the throat with one or both hands is the recognized universal choking sign.
A choking adult is coughing forcefully. What should you do first?
Answer: Encourage them to keep coughing
Forceful coughing indicates a mild obstruction, so encourage continued coughing rather than intervening.
Where do you position your fist for abdominal thrusts on a choking adult?
Answer: Just below the rib cage and above the navel
The fist is placed slightly above the navel and below the xiphoid process for abdominal thrusts.
What indicates that a choking person now has a severe (complete) airway obstruction?
Answer: Inability to speak, cough, or breathe
Inability to speak, cough, or breathe signals a complete airway obstruction requiring immediate action.
What should you do if a choking adult becomes unresponsive?
Answer: Lower them to the ground and begin CPR
An unresponsive choking victim should be lowered to the ground and CPR started, checking the mouth for the object before breaths.
Why are blind finger sweeps no longer recommended?
Answer: They can push the object deeper
Blind finger sweeps may push the object further into the airway and worsen the obstruction.
How should you treat a choking pregnant woman or obese adult?
Answer: Chest thrusts instead of abdominal thrusts
Chest thrusts replace abdominal thrusts when the abdomen cannot be effectively reached, as in pregnancy or obesity.