Safety & Infection ControlQuestion 53 of 200
A resident at dinner suddenly clutches her throat, cannot speak or cough. The CNA should:
a.Wait to see if the resident clears it independently
b.Offer water to wash it down
c.Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich) until the object is expelled or the resident becomes unresponsive; if unresponsive, begin CPR and call for help
d.Slap the back hard with the resident standing
Explanation
Complete airway obstruction (universal choking sign, inability to speak/cough) requires immediate abdominal thrusts (Heimlich) for adults able to stand; chest thrusts for pregnant or obese individuals. If the resident loses consciousness, lower to floor, begin CPR, and look for object before each breath attempt. Offering water (a) worsens obstruction; isolated back-slaps without alternation are not the standard adult protocol (back-blows are part of infant/sometimes alternating adult sequences); waiting (d) wastes the 4-6 minute hypoxic window.
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