Which sign indicates an infant is choking?

Which sign indicates an infant is choking?

• A. Cannot cough, breathe, or cry
• B. Cry loudly
• C. Spits up milk
• D. Swallows normally

Answer: (A)

Choking in an infant is most clearly indicated by a complete airway obstruction, where something blocks the windpipe and the baby can’t move air. When the infant cannot cough, breathe, or cry, it shows air isn’t reaching the lungs and is a medical emergency that requires immediate help. This sign is the strongest indicator because coughing and crying depend on a free airway; their absence means the airway is blocked. Crying loudly means air is still flowing, so the airway isn’t fully blocked. Spitting up milk can happen with normal feeding or reflux and doesn’t by itself prove choking. Swallowing normally suggests the airway is not obstructed. So, the inability to cough, breathe, or cry best signals a choking emergency.

Choking in an infant is most clearly indicated by a complete airway obstruction, where something blocks the windpipe and the baby can’t move air. When the infant cannot cough, breathe, or cry, it shows air isn’t reaching the lungs and is a medical emergency that requires immediate help. This sign is the strongest indicator because coughing and crying depend on a free airway; their absence means the airway is blocked.

Crying loudly means air is still flowing, so the airway isn’t fully blocked. Spitting up milk can happen with normal feeding or reflux and doesn’t by itself prove choking. Swallowing normally suggests the airway is not obstructed. So, the inability to cough, breathe, or cry best signals a choking emergency.