Which symptom indicates a full airway obstruction?

Prepare for the Michigan CNA Skills Exam with our quizzes. Test your knowledge and get detailed explanations for each question. Ace your certification exam!

Multiple Choice

Which symptom indicates a full airway obstruction?

Explanation:
When the airway is completely blocked, no air can pass, so the person cannot cough or speak at all. This is the clearest sign of a full obstruction: the inability to produce a sound or verbalize. In contrast, a forceful cough means air is still moving through the airway, indicating a partial obstruction. If the person can speak, even a few words, or is breathing normally, the airway isn’t fully blocked. In an emergency, treat this as a choking incident and act quickly according to your training.

When the airway is completely blocked, no air can pass, so the person cannot cough or speak at all. This is the clearest sign of a full obstruction: the inability to produce a sound or verbalize. In contrast, a forceful cough means air is still moving through the airway, indicating a partial obstruction. If the person can speak, even a few words, or is breathing normally, the airway isn’t fully blocked. In an emergency, treat this as a choking incident and act quickly according to your training.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy