Maneuver used to relieve the upper airway obstruction is?

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam-2016

Explanation

The Heimlich maneuver, or abdominal thrusts, is the standard first-aid procedure for treating upper airway obstruction (choking) in conscious adults and children over one year old.
It works by creating an artificial cough. The rescuer applies inward and upward thrusts to the abdomen, just above the navel.
This action increases intrathoracic pressure, forcing air out of the lungs to dislodge and expel the foreign object blocking the airway.
It is a life-saving technique for conscious individuals who are unable to speak, cough, or breathe due to a foreign body.

Option A: The Valsalva maneuver involves forcibly exhaling while keeping the mouth and nose closed. It does not clear an airway obstruction.
Option C: This is a misspelling of Leopold's maneuvers. These maneuvers have no role in managing airway obstruction.
Option D: The term 'Military' does not correspond to any standard medical or first-aid maneuver for relieving airway obstruction. It is an irrelevant option.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain First Aid for Airway Obstruction as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Recognizing the universal sign of choking (clutching the throat) and acting quickly is critical, as brain damage can occur in minutes without oxygen.
Nurses must assess the situation to determine the correct technique. For infants under 1 year, back blows and chest thrusts are used. For pregnant or very obese individuals, chest thrusts are used instead of abdominal thrusts.
After successful dislodgement of the object, the person should still be medically evaluated to check for any potential injuries from the maneuver, such as rib fractures or internal organ damage.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question, which is asking for a maneuver to clear an 'upper airway obstruction'.
This is a direct recall question testing your knowledge of first-aid procedures.
Mentally review the common first-aid maneuvers you know and their purposes.
Evaluate each option: 'Valsalva' is for heart rate/pressure, 'Heimlich' is for choking, 'Leopard' (Leopold's) is for pregnancy, and 'Military' is not a standard term.
Select the option that directly addresses clearing a blocked airway, which is the Heimlich maneuver.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Anatomy Applied Ashalatha 4e p. 96-98

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 602-604

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