Heimlich manoeuvre technique is used to ?

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2022

Explanation

The Heimlich maneuver, also called abdominal thrusts, is an emergency first-aid procedure for treating upper airway obstruction by a foreign object.
The primary goal is to dislodge an object that is blocking the trachea (windpipe), which causes choking.
The maneuver works by creating an artificial cough, using pressure on the diaphragm to force air out of the lungs and expel the obstruction.

Option B: The Heimlich maneuver creates pressure in the chest and abdomen; it is anatomically and mechanically ineffective for removing objects from the nasal passages.
Option C: This maneuver has no effect on the ear canal. Performing it for an ear obstruction is incorrect and could delay proper treatment.
Option D: Once a foreign object has reached the stomach, it has successfully passed the airway and is no longer a choking emergency. The Heimlich maneuver is irrelevant at this point.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain First aid for choking (Heimlich maneuver) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must be able to rapidly identify the universal sign of choking (clutching the throat) and differentiate it from other medical emergencies like a heart attack or fainting to provide the correct, immediate intervention.
Proficiency in the Heimlich maneuver and its variations is a fundamental life-saving skill required in all healthcare settings, as a blocked airway can lead to brain damage or death within minutes.
What if? - If the choking person becomes unconscious, the intervention changes. The nurse should lower the person to the ground, call for emergency help, and begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), checking the mouth for the object before giving rescue breaths.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is the purpose of the 'Heimlich manoeuvre'.
Recall the common knowledge or clinical training associated with this term. It is a well-known first-aid technique for choking.
Analyze the options by considering the anatomy involved. Choking is an obstruction of the airway.
Evaluate each location: The trachea is the airway (windpipe). The nose, ear, and stomach are not part of the primary airway in a way that would be cleared by this maneuver.
Select the option that correctly links the maneuver to the anatomical site of a choking obstruction, which is the trachea.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Qd76ZQgrSOcack47wSJsgF

E6 Anatomy Applied Ashalatha 4e p. 96-98

E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 777-779

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