Responding to a choking resident

Question

During lunch a resident suddenly clutches her throat. She cannot speak, makes no sound when she tries to cough, and her lips are turning bluish. A nursing assistant is standing next to her. Which action should the nursing assistant take?

1. ACall out for help, then stand behind her and give abdominal thrusts✓ Correct

   Correct. A resident who cannot cough, speak or breathe needs immediate help, so help is called while thrusts begin.

2. BEncourage her to keep coughing and watch her closely✗ Incorrect

   Encouraging coughing is only for someone who is still coughing forcefully, and this resident cannot cough.

3. CGive her small sips of water to wash the food down✗ Incorrect

   Her airway is blocked, so drinking does not help and delays real treatment.

4. DGo to the nurses' station to bring the nurse, leaving her seated✗ Incorrect

   Leaving a person who cannot breathe wastes time; the aide calls for help and acts at once.

Answer

A. Call out for help, then stand behind her and give abdominal thrusts

Rationale

Silence, no cough and bluish lips mean the airway is blocked, so every second counts. The aide shouts for help (or has another staff member bring the nurse, with 911 called if no nurse is on site) and starts abdominal thrusts from behind without leaving the resident. Letting a resident clear the object by coughing is reasonable only while the cough stays strong.