A nurse is caring for a client who is conscious and has an airway obstruction.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A rationale:

Tilt the head and lift the chin is a technique used to open the airway in an unconscious client, not a conscious one with an airway obstruction.

Choice B rationale:

Turning the client to the side is not the first action to take when a client is conscious and has an airway obstruction.

Choice C rationale:

The Heimlich maneuver is the appropriate action to take for a conscious client who has an airway obstruction. It works by creating an artificial cough, intended to force the obstruction out.

Choice D rationale:

A blind finger sweep should never be performed because it can push the obstruction further into the airway.

Choice A rationale:

Checking for a positive Chvostek’s sign is not relevant. This sign is associated with hypocalcemia, not with the lab values provided.

Choice B rationale:

The nurse should request a potassium replacement. The normal range for potassium is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L. A level of 3.0 mEq/L is low, indicating hypokalemia.

Choice C rationale:

Administering glucagon IM is not appropriate. The glucose level is within the normal range (70-110 mg/dL), so there is no need for glucagon.

Choice D rationale:

Discontinuing the TPN infusion is not the first action. The nurse should address the abnormal lab value (low potassium) first.