Final answer:
When someone's hands go to their throat and they experience coughing or choking, it signifies difficulty in breathing and can indicate a choking emergency, requiring immediate medical attention.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a patient's hands go to their throat and spasms of coughing or choking occur during an emergency, it often indicates difficulty in breathing. This can be a symptom of choking, which is a life-threatening situation caused by the mechanical obstruction of the flow of air from the atmosphere into the lungs. Signs that can suggest a person is choking include the inability to speak or cry out, labored breathing with gasping or wheezing sounds, and possibly turning blue in the face due to lack of oxygen. This can lead to unconsciousness and requires immediate medical attention. Other conditions, such as severe allergic reactions, can also lead to constriction and tightening of the airway, resulting in similar symptoms.