UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED
Quick Chart
 Introduction
  • Foreign bodies may cause either mild or severe airway obstruction.
 Clinical Presentation

General Signs of Choking

  • Attack occurs while eating
  • Patient may clutch at neck

Signs of Mild airway obstruction

  • Patient able to speak, cough and breathe

Signs of severe airway obstruction

  • Patient unable to speak
  • Attempts at coughing are silent
  • Wheeze
  • Unconscious
  • Unable to breathe
 Exclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
 Risk Assessment

Back Blows:

  • Stand to the side and slightly behind patient
  • Support the chest with one hand and lean the patient forwards
  • Give up to 5 sharp blows between the­ scapulae at a 90° with the heel of the hand
  • Check after each back blow to see if airway obstruction has been relieved.

Chest Thrusts:

  • Identify the same compression point as for CPR
  • Give up to five chest thrusts which are similar to chest compressions but sharper and delivered at a slower rate
 Management
Primary Care

If patient showing signs of mild airway obstruction

  • Encourage coughing
  • Constant observation preparing for deterioration

If patient shows signs of severe airway obstruction and is conscious

  • Give up to 5 back blows
  • If back blows fail to relieve airway obstruction give up to 5 chest thrusts
  • If obstruction still unrelieved continue alternating 5 back blows with chest thrusts

If patient becomes unconscious

Intermediate Care
  • As per Primary Care guidelines
Advanced Care
Critical & Extended Care
  • As per Advanced Care guidelines
 Additional Information

Additional Information

Key Terms & Links
Settings
Extended Care:
Colour assist:

References
References

Document Control


Directorate
Clinical Services

Responsible Manager
Head of Clinical Services

Version

Published Date

Review Date

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