Signs of choking (complete airway obstruction)
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Signs of choking (complete airway obstruction)
A person who is choking (has complete airway obstruction):
- Can't cry, talk, breathe, or cough.
- May grasp throat.
- May become severely anxious or agitated.
- May turn blue or dusky in color.
- May pass out.
A choking rescue procedure (the Heimlich maneuver) is used to clear an obstruction in adults and children over 1 year of age. Back blows and abdominal thrusts are used in babies under 1 year of age.
Credits
| Author | Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Last Updated | November 17, 2005 |
| Last updated: | November 17, 2005 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC |
| Reviewed By: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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