Ear, nose & throat · UKMLA & AKT
Foreign body airway obstruction
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise foreign body airway obstruction — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.
Key high-yield points
- Sudden onset coughing/choking during eating or play
- Universal choking sign - hands clutched to throat
- Stridor - high-pitched inspiratory noise; partial obstruction
- Cyanosis - perioral/peripheral; signifies significant hypoxia
- Paradoxical (see-saw) chest/abdominal movement
Never slap a patient on the back while they are coughing effectively - this can convert a partial obstruction into a complete one.
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