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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is most likely to cause a person to choke?
A
Food entering the trachea instead of the esophagus
B
Carbon dioxide being exhaled from the lungs
C
Oxygen entering the bloodstream
D
Water being absorbed in the large intestine
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the anatomy of the human respiratory and digestive systems: The trachea is part of the respiratory system and leads to the lungs, while the esophagus is part of the digestive system and leads to the stomach.
Recognize the function of the epiglottis: The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that closes over the trachea during swallowing to prevent food or liquid from entering the airway.
Analyze the scenario: Choking occurs when food or liquid mistakenly enters the trachea instead of the esophagus, obstructing airflow to the lungs.
Eliminate irrelevant options: Carbon dioxide being exhaled, oxygen entering the bloodstream, and water being absorbed in the large intestine are normal physiological processes and do not cause choking.
Conclude that the most likely cause of choking is food entering the trachea instead of the esophagus, as this disrupts the normal function of the respiratory system.