State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) Practice Exam

Which action should a nurse aide take when a client is unable to eat their meal due to choking?

1. Encourage the client to take small bites

2. Perform back blows and abdominal thrusts

3. Change the client's meal to liquids only

4. Wait for the client to recover independently

The correct answer is: Perform back blows and abdominal thrusts

When a client is unable to eat their meal due to choking, performing back blows and abdominal thrusts is the most appropriate response. This action is part of first aid for choking and is essential for dislodging an obstruction from the airway. It is critical for a nurse aide to recognize the signs of choking and to act swiftly to help the client regain airway protection and breathing. Encouraging the client to take small bites would not be suitable in this case, as the very issue is that the client is unable to eat without choking, suggesting that they might be at a higher risk of further obstruction. Changing the client's meal to liquids only could be a necessary adjustment later, but it does not address the immediate emergency of choking. Waiting for the client to recover independently does not ensure their safety; immediate intervention is required to prevent potential harm or even fatality. Therefore, performing back blows and abdominal thrusts is the decisive action that needs to be taken in a choking situation.