When should a nursing assistant give abdominal thrusts to a resident?

A nursing assistant should give abdominal thrusts to a resident when the resident cannot speak, breathe, or cough because these signs indicate a severe airway obstruction, often referred to as choking. In such situations, the person is unable to effectively clear their airway on their own, and immediate action is required to prevent loss of consciousness or even death.

Abdominal thrusts, or the Heimlich maneuver, create pressure on the diaphragm, which in turn can help expel the obstruction from the airway. It’s crucial to act promptly when these critical symptoms are present, as time is essential in preventing further complications.

The other scenarios mentioned, such as when a resident is coughing or feeling stomach pain, do not warrant the use of abdominal thrusts. Coughing indicates that the resident may still be able to clear the obstruction themselves. Similarly, feeling stomach pain is not necessarily a sign of choking and may require a different type of assessment rather than immediate intervention for choking.