Choking: Causes, Signs, and Types

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes the universal sign for choking?

  • Clutching the chest with both hands
  • Clutching the throat with the hands (correct)
  • Pointing to the stomach area
  • Waving arms frantically

A patient is eating and suddenly starts coughing forcefully, with wheezing sounds audible. They are able to speak. What type of airway obstruction are they most likely experiencing, and what is the appropriate initial response?

  • Partial obstruction; administer chest compressions
  • Complete obstruction; administer back blows
  • Partial obstruction; encourage forceful coughing and monitor the victim (correct)
  • Complete obstruction; perform abdominal thrusts immediately

Which of the following is NOT typically associated with complete airway obstruction?

  • Bluish skin, lips, and nails.
  • Silent coughs or wheezing.
  • Forceful coughing. (correct)
  • Inability to talk.

In which situation would chest thrusts be more appropriate than abdominal thrusts for a conscious adult?

<p>When the person is in late pregnancy or has marked obesity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When performing abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) on a conscious choking adult, where should you position your fist?

<p>In the center of the abdomen, well below the xiphoid process and slightly above the navel (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct first step when encountering an unresponsive infant who may be choking?

<p>Place the infant on a firm, flat surface and begin CPR, looking for an obstruction each time the airway is opened. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to avoid blind finger sweeps when assisting a choking victim?

<p>They can push the object further down the airway. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended sequence of actions for a conscious adult who is choking?

<p>Back blows, then abdominal thrusts. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is most likely a cause of choking in adults?

<p>Talking while eating (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What adjustments should be made when administering aid to a responsive choking infant?

<p>Use back slaps and chest thrusts (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the next step after the person loses consciousness while you are trying to relieve their choking?

<p>Start CPR (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important that each thrust during the Heimlich maneuver be a separate, distinct movement?

<p>To create a pumping action that dislodges the obstruction (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What actions must be avoided when dealing with partial obstruction?

<p>Avoid interfering; encourage forceful coughing (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the rationale behind delivering back blows during a choking incident?

<p>To create vibrations that can help dislodge the object (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered an organic cause of foreign body airway obstruction?

<p>fish bones (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the signs of choking?

<p>Inability to cough (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is a symptom of a partial obstruction?

<p>Forceful cough (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these should be avoided while someone has a partial obstruction?

<p>Do not interfere (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is a symptom of a complete obstruction?

<p>Weak cough (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if a person has a complete obstruction?

<p>Give 5 back blows (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where do you provide an abdominal thrust?

<p>Increase airway &amp; intrathoracic pressure (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the steps to perform abdominal thrusts?

<p>Make a fist with one hand (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What part of the hand makes contact when giving back blows?

<p>Heel of Hand (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the complications of abdominal thrusts?

<p>Vascular injuries (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Choking

Blockage of the upper airway by food or other objects, preventing effective breathing.

Airway Obstruction

Partial or complete airway obstruction caused by an inhaled foreign body causing coughing, wheezing, and even unconsciousness.

Universal sign for choking

Hands clutched to the throat, indicating distress.

Common causes of choking

Conditions such as eating fast, incomplete chewing, talking while eating or drinking alcohol.

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Organic Foreign Bodies

Nuts, fish bones and meat are examples of choking hazards

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Inorganic Foreign Bodies

Solid materials that obstruct the airway.

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Coughing

Either forcefully or weakly, a sign of choking

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Throat Clutching

Clutching the throat with one or both hands, a choking sign.

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Choking Inability

Inability to cough, speak, cry, or breathe.

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Noisy Breathing

Making high-pitched noises or noisy breathing during inhalation.

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Signs of Partial Obstruction

Forceful cough, wheezing, and ability to speak.

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Complete Obstruction Signs

Weak coughs, inability to talk, difficulty breathing, and bluish skin.

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Back Blows

To deliver five back blows between the person's shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.

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Abdominal Thrusts

To perform five abdominal thrusts (also known as the Heimlich manoeuvre).

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Heimlich Maneuver

A series of steps to dislodge an object from someone's throat.

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Performing Abdominal Thrusts

Wrap your arms around their waist and give upward presses to the abdomen.

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Hand placement for Heimlich

Position the first on the abdomen slightly above the navel.

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Chest Thrust

Chest thrusts are performed with the victim standing by placing your fist on the spot as for chest compressions and delivering quick upward thrusts

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Unresponsive Choking Victim

Administer the Heimlich maneuver while the person is lying on their back until the object is dislodged or until help arrives.

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Choking Infant

Sets of 5 back slaps and 5 chest thrusts are performed.

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Unresponsive Choking Infant Actions

Place infant on firm, flat surface. Open airway and look, if seen remove it.

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CPR for Choking Infants

Ten cycles (about 2 minutes) of CPR and activate EMS.

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Complications of Abdominal Thrust

Injuries to internal organs or vascular structures

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Study Notes

  • Universal sign for choking is hands clutched to the throat

Definition

  • Partial or complete airway obstruction occurs when a foreign body is inhaled, leading to coughing, wheezing, and even unconsciousness
  • Choking occurs when food or other objects block the upper airway, preventing effective breathing

Causes of Choking

  • Eating too quickly
  • Incomplete chewing of food
  • Talking while eating
  • Drinking liquids too fast
  • Intoxication from drugs or alcohol
  • Neurological impairment, such as from a stroke
  • Respiratory diseases
  • Poor dentition
  • Advanced age

Types of Foreign Body Airway Obstruction

  • Organic obstructions are common in children such as nuts, fish bones, meat, or steaks
  • Inorganic obstructions consist of solid materials

Signs of Choking

  • Coughing forcefully or weakly
  • Clutching the throat with one or both hands
  • Inability to cough, speak, cry, or breathe
  • High-pitched noises while inhaling or noisy breathing
  • Panic
  • Bluish skin color
  • Loss of consciousness if the blockage remains

Partial Obstruction

  • Indicated by a forceful cough
  • Wheezing
  • Ability to speak

What to Do in Case of Partial Obstruction

  • Do not interfere
  • Monitor the victim and call emergency services (101) if choking persists
  • Encourage forceful coughing

Complete Obstruction

  • Characterized by weak, ineffective, or silent coughs
  • Inability to talk
  • Difficulty or noisy breathing
  • Skin, lips, and nails turning blue or dusky
  • Universal sign of choking
  • Loss of consciousness

What to Do in Case of Complete Obstruction

  • Administer 5 back blows by delivering blows between the person's shoulder blades with the heel of your hand
  • Give 5 abdominal thrusts, also known as the Heimlich maneuver
  • Alternate between 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts until the blockage is dislodged

Additional Measures for Choking

  • Finger sweep
  • Increase airway and intrathoracic pressure
  • Back blows
  • Chest thrusts
  • Abdominal thrusts

Abdominal Thrusts (Heimlich Maneuver) - Steps

  • Stand or kneel behind the victim and wrap arms around their waist
  • Make a fist with one hand
  • Place the thumb side of the fist against the victim's abdomen, slightly above the navel
  • Grasp your fist with your other hand and press with a quick upward thrust
  • Repeat until the object is expelled or the victim becomes unresponsive
  • Give each thrust with a separate, distinct movement to relieve the obstruction

Chest Thrusts

  • For late pregnancy or marked obesity
  • Place fist on the same spot as for chest compressions
  • Deliver quick upward thrusts

If the Victim is or Becomes Unresponsive:

  • Activate EMS immediately
  • Begin the Heimlich maneuver while the person is lying on their back until the object is dislodged, or until help arrives

Responsive Choking Infant

  • Do NOT perform abdominal thrusts
  • Administer Sets of 5 back slaps and 5 chest thrusts
  • Strike forcefully between the shoulder blades with the heel of your free hand
  • Sandwich the infant between your forearms and turn onto their back
  • Deliver 5 chest thrusts

Unresponsive Choking Infant

  • Place the infant on a firm, flat surface
  • Open the airway and look for the obstruction, remove it if seen
  • Each time you open the airway, look for the obstruction and remove if seen
  • Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with one extra step
  • After ten cycles (about 2 minutes) of CPR, activate EMS

Complications of Abdominal Thrust

  • Intra-abdominal injuries
  • Vascular injuries
  • Rupture of abdominal organs
  • Rupture of the diaphragm
  • Injuries to vascular structures
  • Aortic valve injuries or aortic thrombosis

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