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Choking in the Unconscious Adult

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Choking in an unconscious adult may occur when the upper airway, usually the throat or windpipe, is blocked by an object or irritation.

What are the causes and risks of the injury?

Choking is more likely if a person:

swallows large, poorly chewed pieces of food

drinks too much alcohol

wears poorly fitting dentures

talks or laughs while eating

Symptoms & Signs

What are the signs and symptoms of the injury?

Signs and symptoms of choking in an unconscious adult include:

unconsciousness

lack of breathing

inability to move air in or out of the lungs, even with assistance

Diagnosis & Tests

How is the injury recognized?

An adult who is unconscious as a result of choking will be unresponsive. The rescuer will be unable to push air into the lungs with mouth-to-mouth breathing. Bystanders may report an episode of choking, followed by unconsciousness.

Prevention & Expectations

What can be done to prevent the injury?

In many cases, choking can be prevented by:

cutting food into small pieces and chewing slowly

avoiding laughing and talking while chewing

drinking alcohol only in moderation

wearing properly fitting dentures

Treatment & Monitoring

What are the treatments for the injury?

First aid for an unconscious adult who has choked includes the following:

Check for signs of circulation, such as normal breathing, coughing, or movement in response to stimulation.

Contact the emergency medical system immediately.

Start cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, if the person stops breathing. Use 15 chest compressions for every 2 mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths.

If the person starts breathing, place him or her in a side-lying position and monitor closely.

Stay with the person until medical help arrives.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

The chest compressions of CPR can cause vomiting, injuries to internal organs, or broken ribs. Vomiting can be a problem if the vomit is caught in the airway and inhaled into the lungs. There is a possibility that none of the procedures may work, and the person may still choke, remain unconscious, or even die.

What happens after treatment for the injury?

It is important to obtain medical care from a healthcare professional. Occasionally, an object will enter the lung instead of being expelled. This can cause coughing, wheezing, or aspiration pneumonia.

Attribution

Author:James Broomfield, MD
Date Written:
Editor:Ballenberg, Sally, BS
Edit Date:12/31/00
Reviewer:Eileen McLaughlin, RN, BSN
Date Reviewed:07/05/01

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