What is the first action to take if it is suspected that a client is choking?

What is the first action to take if it is suspected that a client is choking?

• A. Determine if the victim can talk or cough
• B. Call emergency services
• C. Perform abdominal thrusts
• D. Back blows

Answer: (A)

Start by quickly checking airway status: can the person talk or cough? This simple question reveals how blocked the airway is. If they can talk or cough, the airway isn’t fully blocked, so the priority is to encourage coughing and monitor them closely. If they cannot talk or cough, the obstruction is severe, you should call emergency services immediately and begin choking-relief maneuvers appropriate for the person’s age and situation (for adults and children over 1, back blows followed by abdominal thrusts; for pregnant or very obese individuals, use chest thrusts; for infants under 1, use back slaps and chest thrusts).

Start by quickly checking airway status: can the person talk or cough? This simple question reveals how blocked the airway is. If they can talk or cough, the airway isn’t fully blocked, so the priority is to encourage coughing and monitor them closely. If they cannot talk or cough, the obstruction is severe, you should call emergency services immediately and begin choking-relief maneuvers appropriate for the person’s age and situation (for adults and children over 1, back blows followed by abdominal thrusts; for pregnant or very obese individuals, use chest thrusts; for infants under 1, use back slaps and chest thrusts).