MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

When your partner begins gasping and coughing during lunch, what should you do first?

1. Perform the Heimlich maneuver

2. Monitor the situation and see what happens

3. Move them to a standing position

4. Immediately call for medical assistance

The correct answer is: Monitor the situation and see what happens

In a situation where a person is gasping and coughing, these actions indicate that they may be experiencing a partial airway obstruction. The first response should involve an assessment of the severity of the obstruction. Coughing and gasping suggest that the person is still able to breathe to some extent and is trying to clear their airway. In such cases, it is often appropriate to monitor the situation. This involves keeping a close eye on the person while providing encouragement for them to continue coughing, which can help dislodge the obstructive object. Immediate intervention, such as performing the Heimlich maneuver, is usually reserved for situations where the individual cannot breathe at all or cannot cough effectively. Moving them to a standing position without assessing the severity of their condition might worsen the situation. Calling for medical assistance is also a valid response, but in cases where the person is still able to cough, monitoring can often prevent unnecessary escalation. In this context, the best first response is to monitor the situation, as this approach allows the person the opportunity to clear their airway naturally while ensuring that help is ready if the situation worsens.