When clearing a foreign body airway obstruction in an obese or pregnant person, where should hand placement be before performing thrusts?

• A. On the abdomen, with thumb-side of fist above the navel.
• B. Low on the abdomen, with thumb-side of fist below the navel.
• C. None of the above.
• D. On the chest, with thumb-side of fist against the center of the breastbone.

Answer: (D)

The main idea is to switch from abdominal thrusts to chest thrusts for a pregnant or obese person with a foreign body in the airway. Abdominal thrusts can harm a pregnant person or cause injury in obesity, and they’re often less effective because of body shape. Chest thrusts apply force to the chest to build intrathoracic pressure and move the obstruction without compressing the abdomen. The correct hand placement is on the chest, with the thumb side of the fist against the center of the breastbone (sternum), delivering quick inward thrusts to clear the airway.