Should a responder leave a choking person after encouraging them to cough?

The correct choice indicates that a responder should not leave a choking person after encouraging them to cough. When someone is choking, their airway is partially or totally blocked, and coughing can be a useful mechanism for expelling the object causing the obstruction. Staying with the person is crucial because they may require additional assistance, especially if their coughing does not resolve the obstruction.

If the choking individual begins to struggle or shows signs of distress, leaving them could increase the risk of complications, such as loss of consciousness or suffocation. Additionally, if their efforts to cough are ineffective, the responder needs to be ready to provide further help, which might include delivering back blows or abdominal thrusts depending on the severity of the choking situation. This ensures continuous support and medical readiness until help arrives or the obstruction is resolved.