Basic Life Support (BLS) Practice Exam

What should be done if a 10-year-old becomes unresponsive and shows signs of choking?

1. Initiate back blows and neck thrusts

2. Call emergency services and wait

3. Perform abdominal thrusts immediately

4. Wait until the child recovers

The correct answer is: Perform abdominal thrusts immediately

When a 10-year-old becomes unresponsive and shows signs of choking, performing abdominal thrusts immediately is the appropriate action to take. This technique, also known as the Heimlich maneuver, is effective in relieving airway obstruction caused by choking when the individual is conscious and responsive. However, if the child is unresponsive, it's critical to initiate abdominal thrusts following the appropriate protocols for an unresponsive victim. In this scenario, the reason for performing abdominal thrusts is that they create a sudden increase in pressure in the abdomen which can help expel the object blocking the airway. While back blows and neck thrusts may be applicable in certain situations, they are generally indicated for infants or, when combined with abdominal thrusts, for conscious children. If a child becomes unresponsive and you have witnessed them choking, abdominal thrusts can be coupled with resuscitation measures. Calling emergency services and waiting, or waiting for the child to recover, could lead to a worsening situation, as the obstruction may not resolve on its own and they may require immediate intervention.