Signs and Symptoms of Choking

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Questions and Answers

Which action is a universal signal for choking?

Waving arms

Hand grasping the throat (correct)

Stomping feet

Clapping hands

A person who is choking can NOT:

Jump

Breathe (correct)

Speak clearly

Move their arms

Which of the following is NOT a type of upper airway obstruction?

Minimal obstruction (correct)

Partial obstruction

Complete obstruction

Severe obstruction (correct)

How does a person typically signal they need help when choking?

By grasping their throat with their hands Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of upper airway obstruction?

Partial obstruction and Complete obstruction Signup and view all the answers

When must CPR be started?

When someone is found in respiratory or cardiac arrest Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main actions performed during CPR?

Chest compressions Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)?

To deliver a controlled electric shock to the heart Signup and view all the answers

Why is immediate CPR necessary during a heart attack?

It can prevent damage to vital organs like the brain and heart Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a reason to start CPR?

The person is unconscious but breathing Signup and view all the answers

What should be your immediate action if you come across an unresponsive person?

Open airway Signup and view all the answers

After opening the airway and checking for breathing, what is the next step if the person is not breathing?

Call 333 Signup and view all the answers

If there is no heartbeat and no AED is available, what should you do next?

Perform 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths Signup and view all the answers

Which step in the chain of survival focuses on using an AED to restart the heart?

Early defibrillation Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of post resuscitation care?

Restore the victim's quality of life Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if the chest is wet before using an AED?

Dry the chest Signup and view all the answers

Where should AED pads not be placed if the patient has a pacemaker?

Over the pacemaker Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a step in assessing a collapsed victim?

Remove all clothing Signup and view all the answers

What should be removed from the victim before using an AED?

Metal jewelry Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical safety issue to observe when using an AED?

Make sure the environment is safe Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in performing CPR?

Check the scene for safety. Signup and view all the answers

How long should you check for breathing and signs of cardiac arrest?

10 seconds Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if there is no pulse and no breathing?

Place the heel of one hand on the lower half of the sternum and begin compressions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the appropriate rate of compressions per minute during CPR?

100-120 Signup and view all the answers

How deep should compressions be during CPR?

2 to 2.4 inches Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if there is a pulse but the victim is not breathing?

Perform rescue breathing at a rate of 1 breath every 5 to 6 seconds. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step to take when assisting a conscious choking infant?

Deliver five blows between the shoulder blades Signup and view all the answers

How should the infant be positioned when delivering chest thrusts?

With the head down Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if the infant becomes unconscious while attempting to clear an airway obstruction?

Call for help and/or activate EMS Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended number of compressions to begin CPR on an unconscious infant?

30 compressions Signup and view all the answers

What technique is used to open the airway of an unconscious infant?

Head tilt-chin lift Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if a person resumes breathing after being resuscitated?

Turn them to the side with arms in front of the body. Signup and view all the answers

Which action is recommended to ventilate a patient?

Pinch the nose and place your mouth over the patient's mouth. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of placing an infant face down straddling your arm in a choking situation?

To provide support and protection for the head and neck. Signup and view all the answers

In the event that a person does not respond after attempting to ventilate, what should be the next step?

Start CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Signup and view all the answers

During a finger sweep to remove foreign matter from a patient's mouth, which finger and motion should be used?

Index finger; hook motion Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step when approaching a conscious person who might be choking?

Ask the person if they can speak Signup and view all the answers

Which action is NOT part of the procedure for administering abdominal thrusts on a conscious choking victim?

Encircling your arms around the abdomen just above the rib cages Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Heimlich maneuver?

To dislodge an object obstructing the airway Signup and view all the answers

At what point should you stop performing abdominal thrusts on a conscious choking person?

When the person becomes unconscious or the object is expelled Signup and view all the answers

Where should you position your arms when administering the Heimlich maneuver?

Around the upper part of the abdomen just below the rib cages Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step to take when dealing with an unconscious person needing abdominal thrusts?

Call for help and/or activate emergency medical services (EMS) Signup and view all the answers

Which assessment involves checking the carotid pulse?

Circulation assessment Signup and view all the answers

What should be assessed to determine whether there is a complete or partial obstruction?

Airway Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following should you look for during a breathing assessment?

Chest movement Signup and view all the answers

When assessing an unconscious person using the ABC approach, what does the 'A' stand for?

Airway Signup and view all the answers

What might asymmetrical chest rise during inspiration indicate?

A possible obstruction in the airway Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is assessed during palpation of the chest?

Subcutaneous emphysema Signup and view all the answers

What is stridor an indication of during auscultation?

Inspiratory airflow obstruction Signup and view all the answers

Why is trachea midline position important during inspection?

Ensures there is no tracheal deviation Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT part of the inspection in a nursing assessment?

Determining specific areas of tenderness Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Choking

A person who is choking cannot breathe and will exhibit a universal signal for choking, signaling for help.
The hand grasping the throat is the universal sign for choking.

Types of Upper Airway Obstruction

Complete obstruction
Partial obstruction

Chain of Survival

Early recognition: Recognize the problem and call for help.
Early CPR: Start CPR as soon as possible.
Early Defibrillation: Get an AED and start defibrillation as soon as possible.
Post Resuscitation Care: Focus on restoring the victim's quality of life.

CPR

Check the scene for safety.
Shake the victim and shout their name or "Are you okay?".
Call for nearby help.
Check for breathing and signs of cardiac arrest for no more than 10 seconds.
Position the fingers over the carotid artery to assess pulse activity.
Activate EMS and get an AED as soon as possible.
Place the victim supine on a firm surface.
If there is a pulse but the victim is not breathing, perform rescue breathing at a rate of 1 breath every 5-6 seconds.
If there is no pulse and no breathing, place the heel of one hand on the lower half of the sternum and the heel of the other hand on top of the first hand, keeping the fingers off the chest.
Depress at least 2 inches but no more than 2.4 inches, with equal time for compression and release.
Give 30 compressions at a rate of 100-120/min and minimize interruptions.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

CPR must be started whenever someone is found in respiratory or cardiac arrest (without breathing or without a heartbeat).
CPR can prevent damage to vital organs (brain and heart).

Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

A device that can deliver a controlled electric shock to the heart to reverse ventricular fibrillation and restore heart function.

Important Points when Using AED

Dry the chest if it is wet.
Shave chest hair to obtain adequate contact.
If the patient has a pacemaker, ensure AED pads are not placed on it.
Remove any metal jewelry.
Remove any plaster or other material attached to the victim's skin.

Safety Issues when Using AED

Do not touch the victim during analysis, charging, or the delivery of a shock.
Make sure the environment is safe.

Assessing a Collapsed Victim

Approach safely.
Check response.
Shout for help.

For the Unconscious Infant

Call for help and/or activate EMS.
Turn the infant onto her back and place on a firm, hard surface, preferably above the ground.
Begin CPR starting with 30 compressions.
Perform the head tilt-chin lift to open the airway.
If you can see an object, carefully perform a finger sweep to remove it.

For the Conscious Infant

Place the infant face down straddling your arm, keeping the head lower than the trunk.
Place your hand under the chest and around the jaw for support.

Abdominal Thrusts

For a conscious person, ask if they can speak.
If the person is unable to talk or coughing is proving ineffective, position them to deliver abdominal thrusts.

Abdominal Thrusts Procedure (Heimlich maneuver)

Stand behind the person.
Encircle your arms around the upper part of their abdomen just below their rib cages.
Give sharp forceful squeezes, forcing the diaphragm sharply into the thorax, to expel sufficient air from the lungs to force the foreign body out of the trachea.
Repeat the thrusts until the foreign body is expelled or the person becomes unconscious.

Nursing Assessment

Inspection

Is the patient conscious?
Is there any inspiratory effort?
Does the chest rise symmetrically?
Is there use or retraction of accessory muscles?
What is the skin color?
Are there any obvious signs of deformity or obstruction (trauma, food, teeth, vomitus)?
Is the trachea midline?

Palpation

Do both sides of the chest rise equally with inspiration?
Are there any specific areas of tenderness, fracture, or subcutaneous emphysema (crepitus)?

Auscultation

Is there any audible air movement, stridor (inspiratory sound), or wheezing (expiratory sound)?
Are breath sounds present over the lower trachea and all lobes?

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Description

Learn to recognize the universal signs and types of upper airway obstruction in cases of choking.