Final answer:
For pregnant or obese patients with an airway obstruction, encourage coughing, deliver back blows, and then chest thrusts are recommended. This is different from medical procedures such as endotracheal intubation used in anesthesia or treatments for sleep apnea.
Step-by-step explanation:
The method used to assist a person with an airway obstruction who is pregnant or obese starts with encouraging them to cough. If that does not clear the obstruction, back blows are given. If these methods are insufficient, the next step is a modification of the Heimlich maneuver, which is more suitable for such patients. Instead of abdominal thrusts, you would perform chest thrusts. With the individual sitting or standing, position yourself behind them and place your arms under their armpits to encircle their chest. Make a fist with one hand, and place the thumb side of your fist against the middle of the chest, avoiding the breasts and sternum. Grasp your fist with your other hand and perform quick inward and upward thrusts. If the person becomes unconscious, carefully lower them to the ground and commence CPR while waiting for emergency medical services.
It's important to note that these procedures are distinct from medical procedures such as endotracheal intubation, which is used during general anesthesia to maintain an open airway by placing a tube into the trachea. For conditions like sleep apnea, treatments can range from lifestyle changes to the use of CPAP machines or even surgical options.