While working in a pediatrician's office, a 4-year-old child suddenly begins to choke on a small object and is unable to cry, cough, or speak. After confirming the child is experiencing a severe airway obstruction, what is the FIRST step you should take in this emergency situation before calling for advanced medical support?
Give the child a corticosteroid to decrease inflammation in the airway.
Perform back blows followed by abdominal thrusts if the back blows do not dislodge the object.
Sedate the child to prevent panic and facilitate the removal of the foreign body at the hospital.
Administer an oral antihistamine to reduce potential swelling and facilitate the passage of the object.
When an individual is experiencing a severe airway obstruction, and is unable to cry, cough, or speak, it is crucial to perform back blows followed by abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) for children over 1 year old. This is done to dislodge the object from the airway. Calling for help is necessary, but the immediate priority is to attempt to clear the obstruction. The administration of an antihistamine or corticosteroid would not relieve a mechanical obstruction and sedating the child could worsen the obstruction and inhibit spontaneous coughing efforts.
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