A 42-year-old female is in cardiac arrest after choking on a piece of food. There is no airway visible and you cannot ventilate. What is the initial action?

Prepare for the Paramedic Readiness Exam 4 with our engaging quiz. Hone your skills with targeted questions, hints, and in-depth explanations. Excel on your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

A 42-year-old female is in cardiac arrest after choking on a piece of food. There is no airway visible and you cannot ventilate. What is the initial action?

When someone who is choking becomes unresponsive with no airway and you can’t ventilate, the priority is to start chest compressions right away. Providing blood flow to the brain and heart is what keeps the person alive long enough to relieve the obstruction or receive advanced care. A finger sweep should not be done blindly because it can push the object deeper or cause injury; only remove an object if you can clearly see and safely reach it. While you start compressions, call for help (and get an AED if available) and reassess as you go. Ventilation attempts can follow if the airway becomes open, but the first action must be chest compressions.

When someone who is choking becomes unresponsive with no airway and you can’t ventilate, the priority is to start chest compressions right away. Providing blood flow to the brain and heart is what keeps the person alive long enough to relieve the obstruction or receive advanced care. A finger sweep should not be done blindly because it can push the object deeper or cause injury; only remove an object if you can clearly see and safely reach it. While you start compressions, call for help (and get an AED if available) and reassess as you go. Ventilation attempts can follow if the airway becomes open, but the first action must be chest compressions.

More practice questions