Airway Obstruction and Choking Flashcards

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.