Airway Obstruction and Choking Flashcards

An 8-month-old infant is conscious and actively choking after swallowing a small toy. The infant is unable to cry or cough. What is the recommended first aid procedure?

Answer: Administer cycles of 5 back slaps followed by 5 chest thrusts.

For a conscious choking infant (under 1 year), the standard of care is to administer cycles of 5 firm back slaps between the shoulder blades, followed by 5 chest thrusts in the center of the chest. Abdominal thrusts are not used on infants due to the risk of internal injury.

You are providing first aid to a conscious adult who is experiencing a severe airway obstruction. The victim is a woman in her third trimester of pregnancy. How should you modify your technique?

Answer: Perform chest thrusts instead of abdominal thrusts.

For individuals who are pregnant or have obesity, where you cannot effectively wrap your arms around their abdomen, the correct modification is to perform chest thrusts. Place your fist in the center of the breastbone and deliver inward thrusts.

Which of the following signs most clearly indicates a *severe* airway obstruction, as opposed to a mild one?

Answer: A high-pitched noise while inhaling (stridor)

A high-pitched noise (stridor) or the complete inability to make sound indicates that very little or no air is passing through the airway. This is a sign of a severe obstruction requiring immediate intervention. The other options are signs of a mild obstruction, where the victim can still move some air and should be encouraged to keep coughing.

While you are performing abdominal thrusts on a conscious 45-year-old man, he suddenly becomes limp and unresponsive. After you call for help and carefully lower him to the floor, what is your immediate next action?

Answer: Begin high-quality CPR, starting with chest compressions.

When a choking victim becomes unresponsive, the priority shifts from choking relief to CPR. The rescuer should immediately begin chest compressions without delay. The compressions not only circulate blood but can also help dislodge the object. You should not perform a blind finger sweep.

You are performing CPR on an adult who you know became unresponsive due to choking. What is the critical difference in your procedure each time you open the airway to give breaths?

Answer: You must look in the mouth for the obstructing object.

In CPR for an unresponsive choking victim, a key modification is that before attempting rescue breaths, the rescuer quickly looks inside the victim's mouth. If the object is visible, it can be removed with a finger. This step is unique to choking-related cardiac arrest.

A coworker is eating lunch and begins coughing weakly. They clutch their throat, their face appears panicked, and they cannot speak or make any sound. What is the most appropriate first action?

Answer: Stand behind them and deliver firm abdominal thrusts.

The inability to speak or cough effectively indicates a severe airway obstruction. The correct immediate response is to perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) to dislodge the object. Encouraging coughing is only appropriate for a mild obstruction where the person can still speak or cough forcefully.