In which situation should a nursing assistant perform abdominal thrusts on a resident?

A nursing assistant should perform abdominal thrusts when a resident cannot speak, breathe, or cough. This situation indicates that the resident is experiencing severe airway obstruction, likely due to a foreign object blocking the airway. When someone is unable to make any sounds or take breaths, it is critical to respond quickly to clear the obstruction and restore airflow. Abdominal thrusts are a recognized technique to create enough pressure in the abdomen that can help dislodge the object causing the blockage.

In other situations, such as when a resident is coughing vehemently, they may still have some ability to expel the obstruction on their own, making abdominal thrusts unnecessary and potentially harmful. Similarly, if a resident is feeling nauseated or has a cold, these conditions are not directly linked to airway obstruction and do not warrant the use of abdominal thrusts. Thus, the specific scenario of the resident being unable to speak, breathe, or cough is what necessitates the application of this emergency maneuver.