College

Choking victim with signs of impending failure, what do you do?

A. Administer epinephrine
B. Begin CPR
C. Encourage coughing
D. Perform abdominal thrusts

Answer :

Final answer:

Option d, in cases of a choking victim with signs of impending failure, perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) if encouraging coughing and back slaps have failed and the person's condition indicates severe airway obstruction.

Explanation:

If a choking victim shows signs of impending failure, the correct course of action depends on their ability to breathe and their consciousness level. If the person cannot speak, cry out, has difficulty breathing, or is showing signs of oxygen deprivation (such as turning blue), and conventional methods like encouraging coughing or back slaps have failed, the next step would be to perform abdominal thrusts, commonly known as the Heimlich maneuver. This technique is designed to force enough air from the lungs to expel the obstructing object from the airway.

Administering epinephrine is specific to cases of anaphylactic shock, not for physical obstruction of the airway. CPR is initiated when the victim is not breathing and has no pulse, indicating a more severe situation where the heart has stopped, not simply choking. Encouraging coughing is a valid first step if the victim is still able to cough, but in the scenario described, it seems the situation has already escalated beyond this stage.