Final answer:
The nurse should first encourage the child to cough to try to dislodge the object. If unsuccessful, a few hard back slaps are the next step, followed by the pediatric Heimlich maneuver if necessary, and finally calling for emergency medical care if the object remains lodged.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a 3-year-old child is coughing vigorously and suspected of aspirating a small object, the nurse should first encourage the child to continue coughing because the act of coughing can dislodge the object. If coughing does not resolve the issue and the child is conscious and able to breathe, the nurse should deliver a few hard back slaps in an attempt to help force the object out of the airway. If the object remains lodged and the situation seems critical, the nurse should then proceed with the Heimlich maneuver. It's crucial to remember that the technique for performing the Heimlich maneuver varies between young children and adults, thus a nurse should be trained in the pediatric version of the procedure. Finally, if all attempts to dislodge the object fail, the nurse must immediately call for emergency medical care.
It is important to note that while the back-slapping method can be helpful for infants, the Heimlich maneuver for children ages 1 to 8 involves standing or kneeling behind the child, providing abdominal thrusts in an upwards motion, which is slightly different from the method used for infants or adults.