How do you identify an obstructed airway in a conscious person?

Identifying an obstructed airway in a conscious person involves observing specific signs that indicate difficulty in breathing. The correct choice highlights that an individual may exhibit behaviors such as clutching their throat, gasping for air, or being unable to speak.

When a person's airway is obstructed, they may instinctively grab their throat, a universal sign of choking. This gesture indicates distress and can alert bystanders to the emergency. Additionally, the inability to speak suggests that the airway is significantly blocked, preventing normal airflow and communication. Gasping for air shows that the person is struggling to breathe, indicating a serious situation requiring immediate assistance.

Understanding these signs is crucial for timely intervention, as recognizing them can prompt quick and effective first aid responses, potentially saving the person's life. The other options, while they may pertain to different circumstances, do not define the specific, critical indicators of an obstructed airway.