Which statement is NOT a sign of sudden severe upper airway obstruction?

• A. Grasping the throat.
• B. Acute cyanosis.
• C. Inability to speak.
• D. Forceful coughing.

Answer: (D)

The key idea is understanding how airway obstruction presents. When an airway is suddenly and severely blocked, you see clear signs of urgent distress and hypoxia: the person often grasping at the throat, turning blue or dusky from lack of oxygen, and unable to speak because the airway is blocked. These reflect that air can’t get through or reach the lungs, so speaking becomes impossible and oxygenation deteriorates quickly.

Forceful coughing, however, suggests some air is still getting through and that the obstruction is not complete. It indicates a partial blockage where the person may still move air and attempt to clear the airway. That’s why this statement is not a sign of sudden severe obstruction—the other signs point to a more critical, complete blockage.