Obstructed Airway
Airway obstruction choking can lead to cardiac arrest.Air cannot pass through the air passages to the lungs.the body dose not get oxygen.
Foreign bodies can cause airway obstruction.This often occurs during enting.Meat is the most common food to cause airway obstruction.Choking often occurs on large,poorly chewed pieces of meat . Laughing and talking while eating also are common causes.Older persons are at risk for choking. Weakness,poorly fitting dentures,poor swallowing reflexes,and chronic illnesses can lead to choking in these persons.They also can choke on hard candy,apples , or piesces of hot dog.
Airway obstruction can occur in the unconscious person. Common causes are aspiration of vomitus and the tongue falling back into the airway.These occur during cardiac arrest.
Foreign bodies can cause partial or complete airway obstruction. With partial obstruction,the person can move some air into and out of the lungs. The person is conscions . Forceful coughing often can remove the objet. The EMS system is activated if the partial obstruction is not relieved.
When complete airway obstruction occurs,the conscious person clutches at the throat (Fig. 31-13).The person cannot breathe,speak,or cough. The person appears pale and cyanotic. Air dose not move into and out of the lungs. The conscious person is very apprehensive. The obstruction must be removed immediately before cardiac arrest occurs. Obstructed airway is an emergency . The EMS system must be activated.
The Heimlich maneuver is used to relieve an obstructed airway caused by a foreign body . It involves abdominal thrusts . The maneuver is performed with the person stading,sitting,or lying. The finger sweep is used with the Heimlich maneuver when an adult becomes unconscious.
The Heimlich maneuver is not effective in extremely obese persons or pregnant women. Chest thrusts are used. They are described in Box 31-2.
Call for help when a person has an obstructed airway. Have someone activate the EMS system.