What indicates a severe airway block?

A severe airway block is indicated by the inability to breathe or talk, which is a critical medical emergency. When an airway is severely obstructed, airflow to the lungs is significantly restricted or completely blocked. This presents itself as an absence of normal breathing sounds and the inability to produce speech, which signals a life-threatening situation. In such cases, the victim may also exhibit signs of distress, such as grabbing their throat, turning blue, or showing signs of panic.

The other options suggest varying levels of airway functionality. A person who can cough loudly is still able to expel air and clear their airway to some degree, which indicates that an obstruction is not severe. Likewise, someone who can breathe normally is not facing any obstruction at all. Finally, a person who is simply worried but is otherwise fine shows no signs of airway distress, indicating that their airway is clear. Therefore, the inability to breathe or talk unequivocally points to a severe airway blockage requiring immediate emergency intervention.