Question

You are eating in a restaurant when a woman cries out. Her six-month-old infant is turning blue around the mouth. He appears to be gagging but is not able to cry or take a breath. An older child had just given him some marbles to play with. What is the next step? (A) Begin CPR(B) Attempt rescue breaths then compressions(C) Deliver back blows and chest thrusts(D) Blind finger Sweep

Answer 1

The next step when an infant is choking and turning blue around the mouth is to deliver back blows and chest thrusts. This sequence is continued until the obstruction is cleared or the infant begins to breathe or becomes unconscious, at which point CPR should be started if one is trained, and emergency services should be contacted.

Step-by-step explanation:

Choking First Aid for an Infant

If an infant is choking, the next step is to deliver back blows and chest thrusts. This method is effective for clearing an airway obstruction in infants. Begin with 5 back blows, using the heel of your hand to deliver firm, yet gentle, thrusts between the infant's shoulder blades while they are positioned face down across your forearm. After the back blows, perform 5 chest thrusts. To do this, place two fingers in the center of the infant's chest and push sharply downwards. Repeat the sequence of back blows and chest thrusts until the obstruction is removed or the infant begins to cry or breathe. If the infant becomes unconscious, commence CPR and call for emergency medical help immediately.

Performing a blind finger sweep is not recommended due to the risk of pushing the object further down the throat or causing injury to the airway. If the individual is trained in CPR and the infant becomes unresponsive, only then should CPR or rescue breaths be considered, after calling emergency services.