If a choking patient is conscious, what should you encourage them to do?

Encouraging a conscious choking patient to cough forcefully is the appropriate action because coughing is the body's natural mechanism for clearing an obstruction from the airway. When someone is choking, it means that an object, food, or liquid is blocking their airway, and forceful coughing can create enough pressure to dislodge the obstruction.

By instructing them to cough, you are promoting a reflex that may help them expel the item causing the obstruction. It's important to ensure that they are calm and understand the importance of continuing to cough forcefully until the obstruction is cleared or they become unable to breathe or speak.

Other options such as lying down flat or drinking water can potentially exacerbate the problem as they do not effectively address the obstruction and may even cause further complications. Also, making a sign for help does not provide immediate assistance and could delay necessary action that needs to be taken to resolve the choking situation.