Managing a Choking Victim as a CNA

OK so choking is a truly, live or die situation.   No doubt about it, its very scary when a person is choking to intervene.    Of all of the scary things to do for a patient this is definitely one of the toughest.

The main reason why this scenario is especially scary for all healthcare workers, not just CNAs, is that a choking person can, and will die, if we do not intervene.   A person can only go without oxygen to their brain for about 3-5 minutes.  So once this person is choking we are on a timeline.   3-5 minutes truly goes by in a flash.  Often times its going to be up to us to step up and perform for our patients.

Check out our video:

 

Choking Patient Treatment Steps

1. Ask the patient is he is choking…. if he answers yes vocally, encourage him to cough. If he cannot speak and is alert start the heimlich maneuver.

2. If the Heimlich Maneuver is unsuccessful at clearing the patients airway, the patient will quickly become unconcious. This is due to lack of oxygen to the brain.

The next step will be to lay the patient on the firm ground. We are then going to do chest compressions, 30 compressions with 2 breaths. The reason were doing this is to create a pressure gradient in the patients lung cavity.

Its a lot like a ballon that has no where for the air to leak out. When you press on the ballon, the air puts pressure on the exit to escape. Were hoping that pressure can clear the airway.

3. Assess the airway every 30 compressions until you are sure you have cleared the airway and air is entering the lungs. You should be able to see the lungs rise.

If the airway is not cleared, our patient will likely be gone by the time the paramedics arrive. So its important to be very aggressive.

4. Once the airway is cleared, assess breathing and pulse. Breath for the patient if needed. Perform CPR if needed.

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