Heimlich maneuver procedure is done in the case of:

Appeared in: NVS- 2025

Explanation

The Heimlich maneuver, also called abdominal thrusts, is a first-aid procedure used to treat upper airway obstructions by foreign objects.
It was first described by Dr. Henry Heimlich in 1974 as a method to save people from choking.
The maneuver works by compressing the lungs to exert pressure on any object lodged in the larynx or trachea, forcing it out.
It is the standard response for a conscious person with a severe airway obstruction who cannot cough, speak, or breathe.

Option A: The primary intervention for drowning is immediate CPR (rescue breaths and chest compressions), not the Heimlich maneuver. Using it wastes critical time and increases the risk of aspiration from vomiting.
Option B: Shock is a state of inadequate tissue perfusion. Treatment involves addressing the underlying cause, fluid resuscitation, and medications. Abdominal thrusts are completely unrelated to managing shock.
Option D: Applying abdominal thrusts to a person with abdominal bleeding is extremely dangerous. It would increase intra-abdominal pressure, worsen the bleeding, and potentially cause more organ damage.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Indication for Heimlich Maneuver (Abdominal Thrusts) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Recognizing the universal sign of choking (clutching the throat) is a critical nursing assessment skill for rapid intervention.
Nurses must be proficient in performing the correct technique for adults, children, and infants, as the procedure varies by age.
What if the choking person is obese or pregnant? The maneuver is modified. For these individuals, chest thrusts are performed instead of abdominal thrusts.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core of the question: it asks for the specific medical condition where the Heimlich maneuver is the correct procedure.
Recall the definition and purpose of the Heimlich maneuver. It is a first-aid technique for airway obstruction.
Analyze each option based on this purpose.
Option 'Choking' directly translates to a foreign body airway obstruction, which is the exact indication for the maneuver.
Evaluate the other options: 'Drowning', 'Shock', and 'Abdominal bleeding' are all serious medical emergencies, but their treatments (CPR, fluid resuscitation, surgery) are fundamentally different from clearing a blocked airway with abdominal thrusts.
Conclude that 'Choking' is the only correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Anatomy Applied Ashalatha 4e p. 96-98

E6 Text Book Of Pediatric Nursing 3rd Panchali Pal — Part 2 (pp 239-476 of 713) p. 79-81

E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health Nursing for BSc Nursing Students Part 2 — Subpart B (pp 276-535 of 550) p. 182-184

Practise the full NVS- 2025

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.