What is the immediate action recommended for an adult who is choking and cannot cough?

• A. Apply quick, hard abdominal thrusts beneath the diaphragm.
• B. Phone emergency for help.
• C. Bend forward and tell her to cough.
• D. Insert a finger or blunt object toward the back of the mouth.

Answer: (A)

When someone is choking and cannot cough, the airway is blocked and they can’t move air. The immediate action is to generate a strong upward pressure under the diaphragm to force air up and out, dislodging the object. Quick, hard abdominal thrusts accomplish this by creating the needed pressure to expel the blockage. This approach is used right away because waiting or asking them to cough won’t work when they can’t cough. Calling for emergency help is important, especially if the object isn’t expelled quickly, but the first move is the abdominal thrusts. Bend forward and tell them to cough isn’t appropriate here since coughing isn’t possible, and inserting a finger or blunt object into the mouth can push the object deeper or cause injury.