Which statement correctly describes abdominal thrusts for a responsive choking person?

• A. They are never used by lay rescuers
• B. They should be performed only on infants
• C. They should be avoided if the person is coughing
• D. They are used to relieve choking in a responsive adult or child

Answer: (D)

Abdominal thrusts are used to relieve choking in a responsive adult or child because they quickly generate an inward and upward pressure that can pop the obstruction free from the airway when the person can still respond. This is the situation where the maneuver is most effective—when someone is choking but able to cooperate and breathe somewhat, speak, or cough. If the person is coughing forcefully and can clear the airway on their own, you should encourage them to continue coughing and avoid thrusts. For infants, a different technique is used, since their anatomy and size require back blows and chest thrusts rather than abdominal thrusts. Lay rescuers are trained to perform this on adults and older children who are choking and responsive; if the person becomes unresponsive, you would begin CPR and check the mouth for the object before giving breaths.