During CPR for a choking infant who becomes unresponsive, which action is an essential additional step?

During CPR for a choking infant who becomes unresponsive, which action is an essential additional step?

• A. Look in the airway for the obstructing object
• B. Start full body CPR without breaths
• C. Remove all clothing
• D. Check for a pulse at the ankle

Answer: (A)

When an infant who was choking becomes unresponsive, the airway may still be blocked by the object. The essential step is to look in the mouth and airway for the obstructing object and remove it if you can see it and can do so safely. Clearing a visible obstruction helps restore airflow so the rescue breaths and chest compressions can be effective again. You would continue CPR with breaths, rechecking the airway as needed. Other options don’t directly address the airway issue: starting CPR without providing breaths reduces ventilation for a small child; removing clothing doesn’t help with an airway obstruction; checking a pulse at the ankle isn’t how you assess an infant’s circulation or airway status.

When an infant who was choking becomes unresponsive, the airway may still be blocked by the object. The essential step is to look in the mouth and airway for the obstructing object and remove it if you can see it and can do so safely. Clearing a visible obstruction helps restore airflow so the rescue breaths and chest compressions can be effective again. You would continue CPR with breaths, rechecking the airway as needed.

Other options don’t directly address the airway issue: starting CPR without providing breaths reduces ventilation for a small child; removing clothing doesn’t help with an airway obstruction; checking a pulse at the ankle isn’t how you assess an infant’s circulation or airway status.