A diner at a restaurant chokes on food and becomes unresponsive. Bystanders lower him to the floor. He has no effective breathing and no pulse. The correct action now is:
- A Start CPR beginning with chest compressions, and inspect the mouth before each set of ventilations ✓
- B Continue abdominal thrusts with the victim supine until the object is expelled
- C Perform blind finger sweeps of the oropharynx before starting compressions
- D Give five back blows followed by five abdominal thrusts in the supine position
Correct answer: A. Start CPR beginning with chest compressions, and inspect the mouth before each set of ventilations
Explanation
Once a choking victim becomes unresponsive, the algorithm reverts to standard CPR starting with chest compressions, which generate pressure that may expel the foreign body. Before giving rescue breaths, the rescuer looks in the mouth and removes any visible object; blind finger sweeps are prohibited because they can impact the object deeper. Back blows and abdominal thrusts are performed only in the conscious victim.
Reference: AHA BLS Provider Manual, 2020 guidelines ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.