Arizona Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Practice Test

If a nurse aide suspects a male resident is choking, what should be their next action after calling for help?

1. Begin chest compressions immediately

2. Ask if the resident can talk

3. Provide the resident with water

4. Check for signs of breathing

The correct answer is: Ask if the resident can talk

When a nurse aide suspects that a male resident is choking, the next appropriate action after calling for help is to ask if the resident can talk. This step serves a crucial purpose: it helps to evaluate the severity of the choking situation. If the resident can talk, it indicates that airflow is not completely blocked and the situation may not be as critical. However, if the resident cannot respond or speak, this suggests a more severe airway obstruction, and the aide must be prepared to take further emergency actions, such as performing the Heimlich maneuver or other interventions, while waiting for assistance. This approach allows the caregiver to assess the situation more accurately and determine the appropriate response based on the resident's ability to breathe and communicate. It’s important to avoid giving water or food, as this can exacerbate the choking situation, and beginning chest compressions or checking for breathing should be reserved for situations where the resident has become unresponsive or is unable to breathe at all, which do not apply at this initial stage of intervention.