Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Airway obstruction is a critical situation that requires prompt recognition and intervention. The Heimlich maneuver, also known as abdominal thrusts, is specifically recommended for dealing with choking in patients who have a complete airway obstruction due to a foreign body. Performing this maneuver can effectively generate enough pressure to expel the object blocking the airway, allowing the patient to breathe again.

In cases of partial obstruction or when the patient is still able to cough or speak, it is advised to monitor the patient closely, providing supportive care while encouraging them to continue coughing effectively. The Heimlich maneuver is not appropriate for patients who can still breathe adequately, nor is it useful in cases of airway obstruction caused by other factors, such as swelling or anaphylaxis, where different interventions would be necessary.

Using sedatives is not a suitable approach for managing airway obstructions, as it could potentially exacerbate the situation by further relaxing the airway muscles or reducing the patient's ability to respond to the obstruction. Immediate intubation is also not recommended in all cases of airway obstruction, as this is an invasive procedure that may not be indicated if the obstruction can be resolved through less invasive means. Nasal steroids are typically used to reduce inflammation in chronic respiratory conditions and are not effective for immediate management of