Which intervention is recommended for a child with a severe large airway obstruction who is conscious?

Which intervention is recommended for a child with a severe large airway obstruction who is conscious?

• A. Back blows
• B. CPR
• C. Remove foreign body with finger sweep
• D. Heimlich maneuver

Answer: (D)

When a conscious child has a severe choking with a large airway obstruction, the recommended action is the Heimlich maneuver. Abdominal thrusts rapidly raise the pressure inside the chest, propelling the obstructing object out of the airway and restoring ventilation. This is the fastest, most effective relief for someone who is awake and able to respond. Back blows are not the primary action for an older child with a significant obstruction (they’re more often emphasized for infants). CPR is reserved for an unresponsive child or one who has stopped breathing. A finger sweep should only be attempted if you can clearly see the object and can remove it easily; otherwise sweeping can push the object deeper or cause injury. If the child becomes unresponsive, you would switch to CPR and call for emergency help while continuing attempts to relieve the obstruction as possible.

When a conscious child has a severe choking with a large airway obstruction, the recommended action is the Heimlich maneuver. Abdominal thrusts rapidly raise the pressure inside the chest, propelling the obstructing object out of the airway and restoring ventilation. This is the fastest, most effective relief for someone who is awake and able to respond.

Back blows are not the primary action for an older child with a significant obstruction (they’re more often emphasized for infants). CPR is reserved for an unresponsive child or one who has stopped breathing. A finger sweep should only be attempted if you can clearly see the object and can remove it easily; otherwise sweeping can push the object deeper or cause injury. If the child becomes unresponsive, you would switch to CPR and call for emergency help while continuing attempts to relieve the obstruction as possible.