If a child has an obstructed airway but is still breathing, what is the appropriate response?

When a child has an obstructed airway but is still able to breathe, the airway obstruction may not be fully blocking airflow, and the child may be able to cough effectively. In such cases, performing back blows and abdominal thrusts is an appropriate response as it can help dislodge the object causing the obstruction without prematurely escalating to more invasive measures.

Back blows involve delivering firm strikes between the shoulder blades, while abdominal thrusts (or the Heimlich maneuver) apply upward pressure just above the navel. This combination can help create enough force to clear the airway of the obstruction, especially if the child is responsive.

Encouraging the child to cough effectively utilizes the body's natural reflex to expel the object. However, if the coughing is not productive, the physical interventions of back blows and abdominal thrusts can enhance the chance of dislodging the obstruction.

Beginning chest compressions immediately or administering rescue breaths would be inappropriate in this case because those steps are reserved for situations where the child is unresponsive or not breathing, indicating a more severe emergency.