Which action is most appropriate when encountering a patient with severe airway obstruction?

When encountering a patient with severe airway obstruction, performing the Heimlich maneuver is the most appropriate action. Severe airway obstruction indicates that the airway is largely or completely blocked, and the patient may be unable to speak, breathe, or cough effectively. The Heimlich maneuver consists of a series of abdominal thrusts that create an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, which can help dislodge the object obstructing the airway. This action is particularly critical because it can restore airflow quickly, potentially preventing the patient from losing consciousness or sustaining severe injury.

Encouraging the patient to cough is more appropriate for a mild airway obstruction, where the patient can still breathe or speak. If a patient is unable to cough effectively due to severe obstruction, this could lead to further complications.

Conducting a head tilt to open the airway is generally performed when a patient is unresponsive and not breathing, but in the case of severe airway obstruction, it does not address the immediate need to remove the obstruction itself.

Administering oxygen immediately may not be beneficial in a scenario where the airway is obstructed. Even with supplemental oxygen, if the airway remains blocked, the patient will not be able to absorb oxygen effectively.

Thus, performing the Heimlich maneuver directly addresses the critical need to