GMCH Chandigarh - 2022
Fundamental of Nursing
Easy
Heimlich maneuver is used to?
Appeared in: GMCH Chandigarh - 2022
Explanation
- The Heimlich maneuver, also known as abdominal thrusts, is a first-aid technique specifically designed to dislodge an object causing an upper airway obstruction.
- It works by creating a forceful artificial cough, which increases intrathoracic pressure to expel the foreign body from the trachea or larynx.
- This is a critical life-saving intervention for a person who is choking and cannot breathe, speak, or cough effectively.
- The procedure is named after Dr. Henry Heimlich, who first described it in 1974.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option B: Applying abdominal thrusts for a foreign body in the eye is incorrect and dangerous. It would not dislodge the object and could cause severe ocular trauma.
- Option C: The Heimlich maneuver is completely unrelated to removing objects from the ear. Forceful thrusts would have no effect on the ear canal.
- Option D: This option is incorrect because the primary and well-established purpose of the Heimlich maneuver is to clear a foreign body from the airway.
Related Visual
- Visual 1: Diagram - Step-by-step illustration of performing the Heimlich maneuver on a conscious adult, showing correct hand placement and the direction of the thrust.
- Visual 2: Diagram - Illustration of the modified technique for infants, showing the sequence of 5 back blows followed by 5 chest thrusts.
- Visual 3: Infographic - A comparative chart showing the correct first-aid actions for choking in adults, children, infants, and pregnant/obese individuals.
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain First aid for Foreign Body Airway Obstruction (FBAO) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
- Nurses must be able to rapidly recognize the universal sign of choking (clutching the throat) and other indicators of severe airway obstruction like inability to speak, weak cough, and cyanosis to intervene immediately.
- It is critical to know the correct modifications for special populations: chest thrusts for obese or pregnant individuals and a combination of back blows and chest thrusts for infants under one year.
- Patient safety depends on avoiding incorrect techniques, such as performing blind finger sweeps in the mouth, which can push the object deeper into the airway.
How to Approach the Question
- First, identify the key term in the question: 'Heimlich maneuver'. This is a specific, named medical procedure.
- Recall the primary purpose of this well-known first-aid technique. It is most famously associated with treating choking.
- Analyze the options in the context of choking. Choking involves an obstruction of the 'airway'.
- Evaluate Option A: 'Clear foreign body from airway'. This directly matches the known purpose of the Heimlich maneuver.
- Evaluate Options B and C: 'Remove foreign body from eye' and 'Remove foreign body from ear'. The maneuver involves forceful abdominal thrusts, which would be illogical and harmful for these delicate areas. These can be quickly eliminated.
- Conclude that Option A is the only logical and correct application of the procedure among the choices.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: First aid for Foreign Body Airway Obstruction (FBAO).
- Stem keywords: Heimlich maneuver
- Lead-in keywords: used to
Question ID
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