What has most likely happened, and what should you do?

A client is eating a snack while waiting for a massage in the waiting area and begins coughing and panicking, pointing to her throat. You ask if you can help, but the client is unable to speak.

What has most likely happened, and what should you do?
A . Food is lodged in his esophagus and you should give him water to drink.
B. Food is lodged in his esophagus and you should hit him sharply on the back to dislodge it.
C. Food is lodged in his esophagus and you should immediately apply an abdominal thrust (Heimlich maneuver) to dislodge it.
D. Food is lodged in his trachea and you should give him water to drink.

View Answer

Answer: C

Explanation:

Foreign objects, including food, can become lodged in the larynx or trachea (windpipe). These can often be expelled by coughing. If the person can speak or make sounds, the airway is open and there is no emergency. If the person cannot breathe or speak, there is an immediate threat of death by asphyxiation and emergency measures are needed. The Heimlich maneuver is the correct first emergency remedial action to take.