A 34-year-old male says he is choking. You note stridor and hoarseness in his voice. What should you do?

Encouraging the patient to cough is appropriate in this scenario because stridor and hoarseness indicate a possible partial airway obstruction. Coughing is a natural reflex that helps to clear the airway by expelling air and potentially dislodging any obstructive material. It is important to facilitate the patient’s ability to cough if they are still able to do so, as it can help relieve the obstruction without resorting to more invasive measures.

Options that involve performing abdominal thrusts or inserting an airway adjunct are typically used in cases of complete airway obstruction or when the patient cannot effectively breathe or cough. Since the patient is still able to exhibit stridor and hoarseness, it suggests there is some airflow, making coughing a viable first step. Administering oxygen may be beneficial in general respiratory distress but does not address the obstruction directly in this context. Thus, allowing the patient to cough can be the most effective and non-invasive approach to help alleviate the choking sensation.