Which technique should be used to care for a conscious infant with an obstructed airway?

When dealing with a conscious infant who has an obstructed airway, the appropriate technique involves administering back blows and chest thrusts. This method is specifically designed for infants to effectively dislodge an obstruction while minimizing the risk of injury.

Back blows are performed by placing the infant face down on your forearm, supporting the head and neck, and then giving firm strikes between the shoulder blades with the heel of the other hand. This action helps create pressure that can dislodge the object causing the obstruction. If the obstruction persists, chest thrusts are then performed by turning the infant over and delivering a series of quick, inward thrusts just below the breastbone. This combination of techniques is crucial when handling airway obstructions in infants, as they differ significantly from techniques used for older children and adults.

In contrast, the Heimlich maneuver is not recommended for infants due to their size and differing anatomy. CPR and rescue breaths are not appropriate here because they are used when the infant is unresponsive, and neither the head tilt nor chin lift would apply for a conscious individual with an obstructed airway. Utilizing back blows and chest thrusts ensures a targeted approach to resolve the obstruction effectively while keeping the infant safe.