Free First Aid Choking and Airway Emergencies Questions and Answers

Question 1

You are at a restaurant when you see a middle-aged man suddenly stand up, clutching his throat with both hands. He has a panicked expression and cannot speak or cough. What is the most appropriate initial action?

Accepted Answer

Stand behind him and administer alternating back blows and abdominal thrusts.

Answer

The man is exhibiting the universal sign of severe choking and cannot cough or speak, indicating a complete airway obstruction. The correct first aid response for a conscious adult is to alternate between 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) until the object is expelled or the person becomes unresponsive.

Question 2

While providing care to a conscious infant who is choking, they suddenly become unresponsive. What is your next step?

Accepted Answer

Carefully lower the infant to a firm, flat surface and begin CPR, starting with chest compressions.

Answer

If a choking infant becomes unresponsive, the procedure changes. You should immediately stop back blows and chest thrusts, place the infant on a hard surface, and start CPR, beginning with chest compressions. After each set of compressions, and before giving breaths, you should look in the mouth for the object.

Question 3

You are providing first aid to a person who is conscious and choking. The person is in the late stages of pregnancy. How should you modify your technique?

Accepted Answer

Perform chest thrusts instead of abdominal thrusts.

Answer

For a person who is pregnant or too large for you to wrap your arms around their waist, abdominal thrusts are not safe or effective. The correct modification is to perform chest thrusts. You should place your fist in the center of the breastbone and give quick, inward thrusts.

Question 4

Which of the following is the correct technique for delivering back blows to a choking infant?

Accepted Answer

Laying the infant face down on your forearm, with their head lower than their body, and delivering 5 firm blows between the shoulder blades.

Answer

The correct and safe way to deliver back blows to an infant is to support their head and neck, lay them face down along your forearm with their head positioned lower than their chest, and deliver up to five firm back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.

Question 5

A conscious child is choking and cannot cough, speak, or breathe. After delivering 5 back blows, the object is not expelled. What should you do next?

Accepted Answer

Perform 5 abdominal thrusts.

Answer

The recommended sequence for a conscious choking child (over 1 year old) is to alternate between 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts. If the back blows do not dislodge the object, the next step is to provide 5 abdominal thrusts.

First Aid Practice Test

First Aid Practice Test

Free First Aid Choking and Airway Emergencies Questions and Answers