Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant State Practice Exam

In which circumstance should a nursing assistant administer abdominal thrusts?

1. The resident is coughing

2. The resident cannot speak, breathe, or cough

3. The resident is breathing very rapidly

4. The resident feels short of breath

The correct answer is: The resident cannot speak, breathe, or cough

The nursing assistant should administer abdominal thrusts when a resident cannot speak, breathe, or cough. This is critical as these signs indicate a complete airway obstruction, which poses a severe risk of choking. In such situations, the abdominal thrust maneuver (also known as the Heimlich maneuver) can help expel the object obstructing the airway, allowing the resident to breathe again. When a resident is coughing, this typically indicates that they have at least some airflow and are able to clear their airway themselves. Rapid breathing or feeling short of breath can be symptoms of other issues, such as anxiety or respiratory conditions, but they do not necessarily indicate an immediate need for abdominal thrusts. Administering this technique is only appropriate when the airway is fully blocked, which is why the inability to speak, breathe, or cough is the critical factor for using abdominal thrusts.