Question

What is the correct sequence of the following while resuscitating an infant with Foreign Body Airway Obstruction?

1. Chest thrust
2. Tongue-jaw lift
3. Back blows

Select the correct sequence from the codes given below.

• A. 1, 3, 2
• B. 3, 2, 1
• C. 3, 1, 2
• D. 2, 1, 3

Hint:

Infants never get abdominal thrusts; the order is back blows, then chest thrusts, then look in the mouth.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Recall the infant choking algorithm.
For an infant with a suspected foreign body airway obstruction, standard basic life support teaching does not use abdominal thrusts, since these can injure the immature abdominal organs of an infant. Instead the sequence uses back blows followed by chest thrusts.

Step 2: Recall the first step.
The rescuer starts with back blows, given firmly between the shoulder blades with the infant positioned face down along the rescuer's forearm, this tries to dislodge the object using a sharp jolt.

Step 3: Recall the second step.
If back blows do not clear the obstruction, the infant is turned face up and chest thrusts are given over the lower half of the sternum, similar to the hand position used for chest compressions, to generate enough pressure to expel the object.

Step 4: Recall the third step.
After back blows and chest thrusts, the rescuer performs a tongue-jaw lift, gently lifting the tongue and jaw forward to open the mouth and look for a visible object before attempting to remove it or continuing resuscitation.

Step 5: Put the sequence together.
The order is back blows, then chest thrust, then tongue-jaw lift, written using the question's numbering as 3, 1, 2.

Step 6: Final answer.
\[ \boxed{\text{3, 1, 2 (Back blows, Chest thrust, Tongue-jaw lift)}} \]