For infants who are choking and become unresponsive, what should you do first?

For infants who are choking and become unresponsive, what should you do first?

• A. Begin CPR and check the airway for obstructions before giving rescue breaths.
• B. Call EMS and do nothing.
• C. Give back blows only.
• D. Wait for EMS.

Answer: (A)

When an infant is choking and becomes unresponsive, the priority is to restore circulation while addressing the airway obstruction. Start CPR immediately to circulate oxygen, using gentle chest compressions with two fingers on the center of the chest. After a round of compressions, open the airway and look for a visible obstruction; if you can see it, remove it with a fingertip sweep and then give rescue breaths. If no obstruction is visible, proceed with breaths. Continue cycles of compressions and breaths, calling for help as needed. This approach keeps blood flowing to vital organs while you check the airway for the blockage, which is essential because the infant’s breathing is compromised and circulation needs to be restored promptly. Waiting or performing only one action (like waiting for EMS or doing back blows alone) wouldn’t effectively address the immediate life-threatening combination of choking and loss of responsiveness.

When an infant is choking and becomes unresponsive, the priority is to restore circulation while addressing the airway obstruction. Start CPR immediately to circulate oxygen, using gentle chest compressions with two fingers on the center of the chest. After a round of compressions, open the airway and look for a visible obstruction; if you can see it, remove it with a fingertip sweep and then give rescue breaths. If no obstruction is visible, proceed with breaths. Continue cycles of compressions and breaths, calling for help as needed.

This approach keeps blood flowing to vital organs while you check the airway for the blockage, which is essential because the infant’s breathing is compromised and circulation needs to be restored promptly. Waiting or performing only one action (like waiting for EMS or doing back blows alone) wouldn’t effectively address the immediate life-threatening combination of choking and loss of responsiveness.