What is the purpose of back blows and chest thrusts for a conscious infant?

The purpose of back blows and chest thrusts for a conscious infant primarily focuses on clearing an obstructed airway. When an infant is choking, these techniques are critical because they help dislodge whatever is blocking the airway, allowing the child to breathe effectively again.

Back blows involve delivering firm strikes between the infant's shoulder blades while they are in a forward-leaning position, which can help create enough force to expel an obstruction. Chest thrusts are performed while the infant is in a supine position and involve performing thrusts to the chest to apply pressure that may also help remove the block. Together, these methods are specifically designed to restore airflow by addressing the life-threatening issue of airway obstruction.

Options that mention comforting, preventing choking, or stabilizing, while important in different contexts of infant care, do not directly address the immediate need to clear a blocked airway when an infant is choking.