Choking
Choking
(10 True/False questions with explanations).
If you see someone in distress and you think that they are choking, the next thing to do is call 999.
TRUEFALSE
FALSE: Just because someone is in distress doesn’t mean that they are choking. Ask them “Are you choking?”
Someone with severe airway obstruction has a weakening cough.
TRUEFALSE
TRUE: The signs of severe airway obstruction include:
- i. Inability to talk.
- ii. Weakening cough.
- iii. Struggling or unable to breathe.
Everybody will have a strong to cough if they start to choke.
TRUEFALSE
FALSE: There are many groups of people who could have a weak swallow/cough reflex, such as
- i. Those who are intoxicated or drowsy due to drugs.
- ii. People who have been affected by brain injury or disease, such as Dementia, Stroke, Head Injury, Parkinson’s Disease
- iii. The elderly.
- iv. People with poor dentition.
- v. People with a Respiratory Disease
- vi. People with a lowered level of consciousness.
You must call 999 as soon as someone presents with a severe airway obstruction.
TRUEFALSE
FALSE: Once you have confirmed that they are choking, give 5 backslaps, followed by 5 abdominal thrusts. Now call 999. This is especially important if you do not have any helpers, as the patient may collapse before you complete your 999 call.
Back-blows will be most effective if the patient is standing up straight.
TRUEFALSE
FALSE: The patient needs to be leant forward as much as possible, and supported. The combination of the back-blow and gravity will help move the obstruction out of the airway
Abdominal Thrusts can cause internal injury.
TRUEFALSE
TRUE. Anyone who has had abdominal thrusts performed on them needs to be professionally examined for injury.
If the patient collapses unconscious to the floor, tilt the head back and give 5 more backslaps.
TRUEFALSE
FALSE: The patient is now unconscious and not breathing. You must start Basic Life Support.
Never perform abdominal thrusts if dealing with an infant less than 1 year old.
TRUEFALSE
TRUE: The risk of serious internal injury is too great. Their bones are more flexible than an adults so perform chest thrusts instead, using two fingers, mid nipple-line.
If the patient is pregnant, then be gentle when giving abdominal thrusts.
TRUEFALSE
FALSE: Do not give abdominal thrusts to a pregnant woman. If backslaps have not worked then try giving chest thrusts. Use the same hand grip, but come up high onto the sternum and try to squeeze the lungs directly through the ribcage.
A feeling something is still stuck in the throat, is a phantom feeling, and can be ignored.
TRUEFALSE
FALSE: Someone who has been choking needs to be checked out if:
- i. They feel something is still stuck in their throat.
- ii. They still have difficulty in swallowing.
- iii. They have a persistent cough.
- iv. They had abdominal thrusts performed on them.
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