How should you respond to a conscious choking infant?

How should you respond to a conscious choking infant?

• A. Five back slaps followed by five chest thrusts; repeat until obstruction is relieved.
• B. Abdominal thrusts only
• C. Shout for help and do nothing
• D. Give water to help dislodge

Answer: (A)

Conscious choking in an infant is handled with a two-part sequence: back blows followed by chest thrusts. Hold the infant face-down on your forearm, supporting the head so it’s lower than the chest. Deliver firm back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. If the obstruction isn’t relieved, flip the infant over to face up and perform chest thrusts using two fingers on the middle of the chest, just below the nipple line. Repeat this cycle until the object is dislodged or the infant becomes unresponsive. If the infant becomes unresponsive, begin CPR and call for emergency help. Avoid giving anything by mouth and do not use abdominal thrusts on an infant. This sequence specifically matches the recommended method for clearing an airway obstruction in an infant and is the safest, most effective approach.

Conscious choking in an infant is handled with a two-part sequence: back blows followed by chest thrusts. Hold the infant face-down on your forearm, supporting the head so it’s lower than the chest. Deliver firm back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. If the obstruction isn’t relieved, flip the infant over to face up and perform chest thrusts using two fingers on the middle of the chest, just below the nipple line. Repeat this cycle until the object is dislodged or the infant becomes unresponsive. If the infant becomes unresponsive, begin CPR and call for emergency help. Avoid giving anything by mouth and do not use abdominal thrusts on an infant. This sequence specifically matches the recommended method for clearing an airway obstruction in an infant and is the safest, most effective approach.