What is the first action a PCT should take if they see someone choking?

The appropriate first action for a Patient Care Technician (PCT) to take when witnessing someone choking involves assessing the situation to determine how to respond. Asking the person if they are able to speak serves as a critical step in gauging the severity of the choking incident. If the individual can speak, cough, or breathe, they may not require immediate intervention beyond encouragement to continue coughing, which can help in dislodging the obstruction. This assessment allows the caregiver to tailor their response to the patient's condition, ensuring that emergency measures are reserved for those who need them most.

Performing the abdominal thrust maneuver immediately may be necessary in certain scenarios, particularly if the person is unable to breathe or talk, but this action should follow an assessment of the individual's state. Getting a defibrillator or calling for help would typically apply in cases of cardiac arrest rather than choking emergencies, and palpating a pulse and initiating CPR is more appropriate when the person is unresponsive and not breathing. Thus, the initial inquiry about the person's ability to speak is a critical step in the choking response protocol.