Ace the NPS Exam 2026 – Elevate Your Neonatal/Pediatric Superpowers!

When someone is conscious and choking, the priority is to expel the object quickly by creating a strong force that pushes air out of the lungs. Abdominal thrusts achieve this by delivering a quick, upward squeeze with the hands placed above the navel. That sudden increase in airway pressure helps pop the obstruction out of the trachea, making it the most effective first-line maneuver for a conscious child older than 1 year.

Back blows can be helpful in infants or used in combination if needed, but for a typical conscious child, abdominal thrusts are more likely to dislodge the blockage efficiently. Chest thrusts are reserved for situations where abdominal thrusts aren’t feasible (such as pregnancy or certain injuries in the patient) and aren’t the standard first choice for a conscious child. Repositioning the head and attempting manual ventilation would not clear the blockage and could waste precious time.

If the obstruction isn’t relieved promptly, continue with abdominal thrusts and seek emergency help, and if the child becomes unresponsive, begin CPR.