The nursing assistant is caring for a resident who is dining with their pregnant granddaughter. The granddaughter suddenly develops the following signs and symptoms: skin around lips is bluish; chest is not rising; has hands crossed over each other around the neck; and shakes head when asked if choking. What action should the nursing assistant take next?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In people who are obese or pregnant women, chest thrusts, rather than abdominal thrusts, are used. This is because in these situations, giving abdominal thrusts would be either impossible or dangerous. The nursing assistant's next action is to perform the chest thrusts while the person is sitting. There is nothing in this scenario to indicate that the person is unconscious and would need lowered to the floor. For an obese person, asking the person to lie on the floor and straddling the person may make abdominal thrusts more effective.

The Nursing Assistant Is Caring for a Resident Who Is