In a conscious infant under 1 year who is choking, what is the recommended sequence of actions?

In a conscious infant under 1 year who is choking, what is the recommended sequence of actions?

• A. Give 5 back blows followed by 5 chest thrusts, and repeat until the object is expelled or the infant can breathe or becomes unconscious.
• B. Give 5 abdominal thrusts only.
• C. Begin CPR immediately without attempting to remove the object.
• D. Shake the infant gently to dislodge the object.

Answer: (A)

When a conscious choking infant under one year is involved, the correct approach is to try to dislodge the object with a cycle of back blows and chest thrusts. This sequence is chosen because it uses quick, targeted forces that can create an artificial cough and push the obstruction out without risking abdominal injury in such a small body. Start by holding the infant face down along your forearm with the head lower than the chest, supporting the head and neck. Deliver five firm back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. Next, turn the infant face up and, using two fingers on the sternum just below the nipple line, perform five chest thrusts, pressing about one-third of the chest depth. Repeat cycles of five back blows and five chest thrusts until the object is expelled, the infant can breathe or cough, or the infant becomes unconscious. If the infant becomes unconscious, call for help and begin CPR, checking the mouth for the object before giving breaths. Abdominal thrusts are not recommended for infants, and shaking the infant is not an effective or safe method.

When a conscious choking infant under one year is involved, the correct approach is to try to dislodge the object with a cycle of back blows and chest thrusts. This sequence is chosen because it uses quick, targeted forces that can create an artificial cough and push the obstruction out without risking abdominal injury in such a small body. Start by holding the infant face down along your forearm with the head lower than the chest, supporting the head and neck. Deliver five firm back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. Next, turn the infant face up and, using two fingers on the sternum just below the nipple line, perform five chest thrusts, pressing about one-third of the chest depth. Repeat cycles of five back blows and five chest thrusts until the object is expelled, the infant can breathe or cough, or the infant becomes unconscious. If the infant becomes unconscious, call for help and begin CPR, checking the mouth for the object before giving breaths. Abdominal thrusts are not recommended for infants, and shaking the infant is not an effective or safe method.