Final answer:
The management of airway obstruction in a conscious infant primarily involves performing back blows and chest thrusts. Administering epinephrine is not used for choking, and administering oxygen and intubation are measures taken by medical professionals when the infant does not breathe on their own.
Step-by-step explanation:
The management of airway obstruction in a conscious infant involves several critical steps, none of which should be attempted without proper training or in a non-emergency situation. To help a choking infant, one would perform back blows and chest thrusts to try to dislodge the object causing the obstruction. Turning the baby upside down and gently slapping on the back may also help in dislodging the object. The Heimlich maneuver may be used for older children and adults if back slaps do not resolve the airway obstruction.
It is important to note that administering epinephrine is not a standard treatment for physical airway obstruction, such as choking, and should only be administered by a healthcare professional when indicated for other medical reasons. Similarly, administering oxygen is typically reserved for situations where the patient is receiving medical attention from professionals. The priority in an acute choking scenario is to clear the airway obstruction.
For the non-breathing infant, such as in cases where the baby does not breathe on their own at birth, treatment may include resuscitation and intubation, with possible subsequent ventilator support. Application of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may also be required if spontaneous breathing occurs but is insufficient.