Choking in the Unconscious Adult
Alternate Names : Obstructed Airway
What are the treatments for the injury?
First aid for an unconscious adult who has choked includes the following:
Check for signs of circulation, such as normal breathing, coughing, or
movement in response to stimulation.
Contact the emergency medical
system immediately.
Start cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, if the person stops breathing.
Use 15 chest compressions for every 2 mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths.
If the person starts breathing, place him or her in a side-lying position
and monitor closely.
Stay with the person until medical help arrives.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
The chest compressions of CPR can cause vomiting, injuries to internal organs,
or broken ribs. Vomiting can be a problem if the vomit is caught in the airway
and inhaled into the lungs. There is a possibility that none of the procedures may work, and the person may
still choke, remain unconscious, or even die.
What happens after treatment for the injury?
It is important to obtain medical care from a healthcare
professional. Occasionally, an object will enter the lung instead of being
expelled. This can cause coughing,
wheezing, or aspiration pneumonia.
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