What should be done if the airway is blocked?

What should be done if the airway is blocked?

• A. Perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
• B. Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
• C. Place the patient in the recovery position
• D. Use a flashlight to check the airway

Answer: (B)

When faced with a blocked airway, the priority is to clear the obstruction to allow for normal breathing. Performing abdominal thrusts, also known as the Heimlich maneuver, is the appropriate response for a conscious individual who is experiencing severe choking. This maneuver involves applying controlled pressure to the abdomen, which can help expel the foreign object causing the airway blockage. In contrast, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is intended for situations where there is not an obstruction but a failure in breathing, so it would not address the immediate need to clear the airway. Placing someone in the recovery position is appropriate for an unconscious person who is breathing but does not help with a blocked airway. Using a flashlight to check the airway may offer visual assistance but does not provide active intervention to relieve the blockage. Therefore, the abdominal thrusts effectively address the problem at hand by attempting to dislodge the obstruction and restore airflow.

When faced with a blocked airway, the priority is to clear the obstruction to allow for normal breathing. Performing abdominal thrusts, also known as the Heimlich maneuver, is the appropriate response for a conscious individual who is experiencing severe choking. This maneuver involves applying controlled pressure to the abdomen, which can help expel the foreign object causing the airway blockage.

In contrast, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is intended for situations where there is not an obstruction but a failure in breathing, so it would not address the immediate need to clear the airway. Placing someone in the recovery position is appropriate for an unconscious person who is breathing but does not help with a blocked airway. Using a flashlight to check the airway may offer visual assistance but does not provide active intervention to relieve the blockage. Therefore, the abdominal thrusts effectively address the problem at hand by attempting to dislodge the obstruction and restore airflow.