Safety & Infection ControlQuestion 53 of 200
A resident at dinner suddenly clutches her throat, cannot speak or cough. The CNA should:
a.Offer water to wash it down
b.Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich) until the object is expelled or the resident becomes unresponsive; if unresponsive, begin CPR and call for help
c.Slap the back hard with the resident standing
d.Wait to see if the resident clears it independently
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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