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Choking and Airway Obstruction — NCLEX Cheat Sheet

Can't cough/speak = abdominal thrusts

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👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team 🕐 Updated 2026-07-11 🏷️ Physiological Adaptation 🔖 Free to read, print, and share

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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Choking and Airway Obstruction on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!

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Assess

What to look for

Universal sign = hands to throat
Partial = let cough, encourage

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Do

Nursing actions

Complete → Heimlich/abd thrusts
Infant: 5 back blows + 5 chest
Unconscious → start CPR

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Signs

What to look for

No air, cyanosis, silence
Pregnant/obese → chest thrusts

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Avoid

Key facts

Blind finger sweep
Back slaps if can cough

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Quick Tip

A patient with a partial obstruction who can cough forcefully is encouraged to keep coughing and is not interrupted.

📖 Related Topics

Hypokalemia Hyperkalemia Hyponatremia Heart Failure

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