A triage nurse is talking to a patient when the patient begins choking on his lunch. The patient is coughing forcefully. What should the nurse do?

(A) Stand him up and perform the abdominal thrust maneuver from behind. (B) Lay him down, straddle him, and perform the abdominal thrust maneuver. (C) Leave him to get assistance. (D) Stay with him and encourage him, but not intervene at this time.Answer Explanation: If the patient is coughing, he should be able to dislodge the object or cause a complete obstruction. If complete obstruction occurs, the nurse should perform the abdominal thrust maneuver with the patient standing. If the patient is unconscious, the nurse should lay the patient down. A nurse should never leave a choking patient alone.