A resident at dinner suddenly clutches her throat, cannot speak or cough. The CNA should:

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 (b) worsens obstruction; isolated back-slaps without alternation are not the standard adult protocol (back-blows are part of infant/sometimes alternating adult sequences); waiting (a) wastes the 4-6 minute hypoxic window.