Which statement BEST indicates an infant is choking?

• A. Cannot cough, breathe, or cry
• B. Cries normally
• C. Spits up saliva
• D. Suckles on a bottle

Answer: (A)

In an infant, a complete airway blockage shows up as an inability to cough, breathe, or cry. When the airway is fully blocked, nothing passes through and the infant can’t produce a cry or air effort, which is the strongest cue that there’s a choking emergency.

If the infant cries normally, breathes, or swallows saliva, the airway isn’t fully blocked, so choking isn’t occurring. Spitting up saliva or sucking on a bottle also suggests the airway is clear enough to permit air flow and isn’t a sign of a severe obstruction.

So the statement describing an infant who cannot cough, breathe, or cry points directly to a dangerous, complete obstruction that requires urgent action.