Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

What is the most appropriate action for a patient with an obstructed airway who is still conscious?

1. Perform the Heimlich maneuver

2. Encourage the patient to cough

3. Provide supplemental oxygen

4. Perform back blows

The correct answer is: Perform the Heimlich maneuver

The most appropriate action for a patient with an obstructed airway who is still conscious is to perform the Heimlich maneuver, also known as abdominal thrusts. This technique is specifically designed to dislodge an object that is obstructing the airway of a conscious person. When a foreign object blocks the airway, it can prevent the patient from breathing properly, leading to a life-threatening situation. Using the Heimlich maneuver involves delivering quick, upward thrusts to the abdomen, which can generate enough pressure to expel the obstruction from the airway. This technique is effective because it creates a rapid rise in intra-abdominal pressure, pushing the diaphragm upward and forcing air from the lungs, which can propel the obstructing item out of the airway. Other options, while they may support the patient in various circumstances, are not the primary interventions for a conscious individual with a complete airway obstruction. Encouraging the patient to cough can be helpful if they are able to cough effectively, as this is a natural reflex to expel an obstruction. However, if they are truly obstructed, coughing may not be effective. Providing supplemental oxygen is appropriate in many emergency medical scenarios, but it will not resolve an airway obstruction; oxygen cannot reach the lungs if the airway is blocked.