Which of the following is the method for managing foreign body airway obstruction?

JODHPUR AIIMS SNO-2018

Medical Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: JODHPUR AIIMS SNO-2018

Explanation

The Heimlich maneuver, also called abdominal thrusts, is the standard first-aid procedure for treating upper airway obstructions caused by foreign objects in conscious adults and children over one year old.
As depicted in the image, the technique involves a rescuer standing behind the patient and using their hands to exert quick, upward pressure on the diaphragm.
This action compresses the lungs, increasing intrathoracic pressure and forcing air out to expel the object lodged in the trachea or larynx.
It is a critical life-saving procedure that mimics a strong cough to clear the airway.

Option A: The jaw thrust maneuver is used to open a patient's airway but does not remove a foreign object. Its primary purpose is to avoid neck movement.
Option C: Leopold's maneuver is an obstetric assessment tool and has no application in emergency airway management.
Option D: The Valsalva maneuver involves forced exhalation against a closed airway. While it increases internal pressure, it is not used to expel foreign bodies and could be harmful in a choking situation.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Management of Foreign Body Airway Obstruction (FBAO) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Rapid identification and intervention for FBAO are critical nursing skills. Delays can lead to hypoxia, brain damage, and death within minutes.
Nurses must be able to differentiate between a partial obstruction (patient can cough/speak) and a complete obstruction (patient cannot make sounds) to apply the correct intervention.
It is essential to know the modifications for different populations: for infants, the procedure is a cycle of 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts; for pregnant or obese individuals, chest thrusts are used instead of abdominal thrusts.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the question to identify the core problem: how to manage a foreign body airway obstruction.
Next, examine the provided image. The image clearly shows a person performing abdominal thrusts on another, which is the classic Heimlich maneuver.
Review the four options provided. Each option is a distinct medical maneuver.
Correlate the visual information from the image with the options. The action in the image directly corresponds to the 'Heimlich maneuver'.
Evaluate the other options to confirm they are incorrect for this specific situation. Jaw thrust opens an airway but doesn't remove an object, Leopold's is for fetal assessment, and Valsalva is for pressure regulation, not choking.
Select the option that is the specific intervention for clearing a foreign body from the airway.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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