Nurse Aide Practice Exam 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The immediate action to take when a resident begins to choke is to start abdominal thrusts. This procedure, often referred to as the Heimlich maneuver, is a critical lifesaving technique designed to dislodge an object obstructing the airway.

When someone is choking, the priority is to clear the air passage to restore normal breathing. Abdominal thrusts are effective because they create an upward pressure in the chest cavity, which can force the lodged object out of the airway. This method is particularly crucial in cases where the person cannot cough or breathe, indicating a severe blockage.

While other responses may seem reasonable in less critical scenarios, they do not address the immediate threat to the person's life. Calling for emergency help should be second to performing abdominal thrusts, as the primary focus needs to be on resolving the choking incident first. Encouraging the resident to cough might be appropriate if they are still able to breathe and make sounds, but it is not a recommended action for someone who is incapable of coughing. Offering water could aggravate the situation by causing further choking and should never be done in such circumstances.