Basic Life Support (BLS) Practice Exam

When dealing with a conscious adult who is choking and unable to breathe, the priority action is to perform the Heimlich maneuver, also known as abdominal thrusts. This technique is specifically designed to expel an obstructing object from the airway by increasing pressure within the abdomen and forcing air upward, creating enough force to dislodge the blockage that is preventing normal breathing. The Heimlich maneuver is most effective in cases of severe choking, where a person is unable to cough, speak, or breathe due to an obstruction. Administering abdominal thrusts helps in not only alleviating the immediate threat to their airway but also restores their ability to breathe normally. Other options, such as performing a series of back blows or encouraging the person to cough, are less effective in this severe situation. While back blows may help in some cases, they are generally not sufficient when a person cannot breathe at all. Encouraging the person to cough could also delay the required intervention, as their ability to cough is compromised. Administering oxygen is not appropriate in this situation because the airway is obstructed, and no ventilation can occur until the blockage is cleared. Therefore, performing the Heimlich maneuver is the most appropriate and effective immediate action to take.