Your patient is a 23-year-old female who is 30 weeks pregnant. She choked on some cheese while eating a piece of pizza. When asked if she can speak, she replies "yes," although with some difficulty. Your next step should be to:

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since the patient is still able to speak, this means that air is still passing through the vocal cords and there is not a complete obstruction of the airway. The best option is to encourage the patient to cough as hard as she can, which may help to dislodge the obstruction. Abdominal and chest thrusts are not indicated in this case since there is not a complete obstruction, and attempting to remove the bolus with forceps could cause further injury to the patient or her unborn child. It is important to monitor the patient closely and be prepared to intervene if her condition worsens.

Your Patient Is a 23-Year-Old Female Who Is 30 Weeks