The nurse observes a patient using this gesture (see diagram). What should the nurse do?
1. assume the patient is having throat pain and administer pain medication
2. prepare to perform the Heimlich maneuver
3. assess the patient for cyanosis, difficulty breathing, and stridor and wait until normal breathing resumes
4. sit with the patient until the laryngospasm passes and encourage deep breathing
Correct Answer: 2
The patient is using a gesture for choking. The goal is to maintain an open airway and clear the obstruction. If the obstruction is complete, the Heimlich maneuver is performed. If the obstruction is partial, the patient should be encouraged to cough. Assuming the patient is having throat pain, assessing the patient, and sitting with the patient and waiting are inappropriate responses because choking constitutes a life-threatening situation.
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