Nursing & Healthcare Programs

Performing the Heimlich Maneuver

Written by Amanda R. McDaniel, MS, BSN, RN
Amanda is a BSN/RN with a MS in Physiology and a BA in English. She worked as a medical writer in the pharmaceutical industry for 11 years before pursuing a career in nursing. She now works as a nurse on a NeuroTelemetry unit and continues to write and edit on a freelance basis. Amanda’s LinkedIn

The Heimlich Maneuver, also known as abdominal thrusts, is used to remove an object that is blocking a resident’s airway and preventing air from reaching the lungs. It only takes four to six minutes for brain damage to occur from lack of oxygen, so prompt action is vital.

How to Perform the Heimlich Maneuver

  1. Ask the resident if he can speak.
    • If he can speak and is coughing, do not proceed. Monitor the resident.
    • If he is unable to speak or becomes unable to speak, go to step two.
  2. If the resident is sitting or standing:
    • Move behind him, kneel if necessary (e.g., to help a child).
    • Wrap your arms around the resident’s waist.
    • Make a fist with your thumb toward the resident and place it just above the resident’s navel.
    • Grasp your fist with your other hand.
    • Make forceful, quick, inward and upward thrusts with your fist until the object dislodges, and the resident can breathe.
  3. If the resident is lying down:
    • Turn him onto his back.
    • Straddle him, facing his head.
    • Make a fist with one hand and place it just above the resident’s navel.
    • Grasp your fist with the other hand.
    • Make forceful, quick, inward and upward (toward head) thrusts until the object dislodges, and the resident can breathe.
  4. Notify the nurse and continue to monitor the resident per institution or unit protocol.

Reference

Heller, J.L. (2015, April). Abdominal thrusts. MedlinePlus. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000047.htm

More Resources

Axillary Temperature with Electronic Thermometer

Compared to other temperature measurement methods, the axillary measurement is considered the least reliable. An axillary temperature measurement typically reads 0.5 to 1 degree Fahrenheit lower than an oral temperature reading [1]. For this reason, it is recommended to use this method only when other methods are contraindicated or when taking an axillary temperature is the safest method for the patient.

Caring for a Patient’s Dentures

For patients with dentures, care of the dentures is just as important as brushing natural teeth. Good denture hygiene and fit helps prevent oral irritation and infection.

Measuring Blood Pressure

Many factors can interfere with obtaining an accurate blood pressure. The most common mistakes that lead to inaccurate blood pressures are a result of improper technique, including: not supporting the patient’s arm, using the wrong sized cuff, positioning the cuff too low on the patient’s arm, improper positioning of the cuff’s artery marker, and attempting to measure blood pressure through clothing.

Partial Bed Bath

Bathing is an important part of a patient’s health routine. A partial bed bath focuses on bathing sensitive areas that cause discomfort if not cleansed frequently, such as the face, hands, axillae, back, and perineum. Though patients receiving a bed bath are typically confined to the bed, some are able to wash themselves and should be encouraged to do so to promote independence.

Indwelling Catheter Care

Indwelling catheters allow urine to drain from the bladder. They are used when residents are unable to urinate on their own or when the process of cleaning the resident after urination would be difficult for the resident to tolerate (such as during end of life care). Caring for the catheter appropriately is a vital part of preventing infection and skin breakdown.

Passive Range of Motion Exercises

Range of motion exercises are used to help prevent or decrease contractures, improve flexibility of joints, and improve strength [1]. Bedridden patients as well as those with reduced mobility may greatly benefit from passive range of motion exercises. However, do not perform these exercises without an order to do so, as it may be contraindicated in certain situations.