Paediatric airway obstruction — DipIMC MCQ

Correct answer: D — Deliver age-appropriate back blows and abdominal thrusts

Explanation lettering: B = shown as A · C = shown as B · D = shown as C · E = shown as D · A = shown as E

E is correct: Severe foreign body airway obstruction in a conscious child needs immediate choking manoeuvres. A is less suitable because analgesia is important but does not replace the first physiological intervention; B is less suitable because it moves the patient before the decisive threat or destination issue is addressed; C is less suitable because it creates avoidable delay in a time-critical presentation; D is less suitable because it does not address the discriminator in the vignette. The most tempting alternative is therefore suboptimal because it either delays the time-critical pre-hospital intervention or sends the patient to the wrong level of care. The key DipIMC principle is focused cABCDE decision-making with early pre-alert, triage or retrieval escalation when the scene physiology demands it.

Reference: JRCALC Guidelines; Resuscitation Council UK Paediatric and Newborn Guidelines; NICE NG39