Georgia Virtual School (GAVS) Health Exam

When should abdominal thrusts be performed?

1. Only if the victim is unconscious

2. When the victim is choking and cannot breathe but is conscious

3. Whenever food is stuck

4. Only for children

The correct answer is: When the victim is choking and cannot breathe but is conscious

Abdominal thrusts, also known as the Heimlich maneuver, should be performed when a victim is choking and cannot breathe but is conscious. This is a critical situation where the airway is obstructed, and the individual is unable to cough, speak, or breathe effectively. The abdominal thrusts are designed to create pressure in the abdomen, which forcefully expels air from the lungs, helping to dislodge the obstruction from the airway. In cases where a person is unconscious, different procedures, such as calling for emergency help and performing CPR, would take precedence. Performing abdominal thrusts on someone who is unconscious can be dangerous and ineffective. Moreover, it's not appropriate to perform abdominal thrusts whenever food is stuck as this action specifically targets choking incidents rather than general digestive issues. While the maneuver is applicable to individuals of all ages, it is particularly important to assess the victim's level of consciousness and whether they are able to cough or breathe before proceeding. Therefore, the emphasis is on the immediate life-threatening situation of choking with a conscious individual, making the appropriate circumstances for performing abdominal thrusts clear.