What is defined as 'partial choking'?

Partial choking refers to a situation where the airway is not fully obstructed, allowing the individual to still retain some level of airway function. In this context, the ability to breathe, talk, and cough indicates that some air is still able to pass through the airway. This means the body can still employ the cough reflex to try to expel the obstruction, making it a critical phase that requires monitoring.

The other situations described indicate more severe forms of choking. A completely blocked airway would prevent the individual from breathing completely, while high-pitched sounds typically indicate significant blockage and struggle to breathe, reflecting a more critical situation. Loss of responsiveness indicates a severe emergency, often associated with total airway obstruction, which would require immediate intervention. Thus, having the ability to breathe, talk, and cough clearly defines the state referred to as 'partial choking.'