Hartman's Nursing Assistant Care Practice Exam

The primary goal of performing abdominal thrusts is to remove an object from the airway. This maneuver is specifically designed to create pressure in the abdomen, which can help to expel a foreign object that is obstructing the airway, allowing for the restoration of normal breathing. When an individual is choking, their airway is blocked, often by food or another object, preventing air from reaching the lungs. Abdominal thrusts, also known as the Heimlich maneuver, are a critical first aid response to alleviate this life-threatening situation.

While CPR can be necessary in severe choking cases if the person becomes unresponsive, it is not the immediate goal of abdominal thrusts. Additionally, alleviating a burning sensation or assisting with swallowing are not relevant to the purpose of abdominal thrusts, which is focused solely on clearing the airway obstruction.