North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

What is the primary goal when responding to a choking emergency?

1. To relieve the obstruction

2. To perform rescue breaths

3. To keep the patient calm

4. To monitor vital signs

The correct answer is: To relieve the obstruction

The primary goal when responding to a choking emergency is to relieve the obstruction. In situations where an individual is choking, their airway is compromised, which can lead to suffocation and loss of consciousness if not addressed promptly. The objective is to clear the airway and restore normal breathing. When someone is choking, effective techniques such as the Heimlich maneuver must be employed to dislodge the object that is blocking the airway. This action focuses on applying the right amount of pressure to the abdomen, which can help expel the obstruction. Restoring airflow to the lungs is critical, as failure to do so will result in a lack of oxygen, leading to serious physiological consequences. While factors such as keeping the patient calm, performing rescue breaths, and monitoring vital signs are important in a broader first aid context, they are secondary to immediate action aimed at relieving the obstruction when a patient is choking. The priority is always to make sure that the airway is clear to enable the patient to breathe again.