North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

What key step should be taken when responding to unconscious choking in infants?

1. Deliver abdominal thrusts

2. Perform back blows and chest thrusts

3. Place the infant in a standing position

4. Wait for signs of breathing

The correct answer is: Perform back blows and chest thrusts

When responding to unconscious choking in infants, the key step involves performing back blows and chest thrusts. This approach is specifically designed for infants who are unable to cough, breathe, or cry due to an obstruction in the airway. Back blows are delivered with the infant positioned face down along your forearm, supporting the head and neck, allowing gravity to assist in dislodging the object. Following this, chest thrusts are given with the infant in a supine position, placing two fingers in the center of the chest just below the nipple line and thrusting inward and slightly upwards. This combination of techniques is effective in generating sufficient force to clear the airway while ensuring the safety and stability of the infant, who is more vulnerable than an older child or adult due to their size and anatomy. Other techniques listed are not suitable for infants. Abdominal thrusts are generally reserved for older children and adults as their anatomy is not conducive to this method. Placing the infant in a standing position could exacerbate the situation as it does not provide the necessary support or control needed during such an emergency. Waiting for signs of breathing is inappropriate in the case of choking, where immediate action is crucial to prevent potential death or severe injury from airway obstruction.