When providing care for a choking infant, how many cycles of back blows and chest thrusts should be performed?

When providing care for a choking infant, the correct approach is to perform as many cycles of back blows and chest thrusts as needed until the obstructing object is dislodged or the infant becomes responsive. This practice is rooted in the need for ongoing intervention in life-threatening choking situations, as the infant's airway must be cleared immediately to restore normal breathing.

In the case of a choking infant, specific guidelines recommend a combination of five back blows followed by five chest thrusts repeatedly until the infant can breathe, cough, or cry, or until emergency medical services take over. This repeated cycle allows the caregiver to effectively apply pressure and create the necessary force to dislodge the object lodged in the airway.

The other options imply a fixed number of cycles, which may not be sufficient in a life-threatening situation where continuous care is required until successful intervention occurs. It is crucial to remain vigilant and responsive, adjusting the number of cycles based on the infant's condition and response.