OBSTRUÇÃO DAS VIAS AÉREAS POR CORPO ESTRANHO NO CONTEXTO ESCOLAR: OS PROFESSORES ESTÃO CAPACITADOS?

The obstruction of airways by a foreign body (FBAO) occurs when food or another object enters the trachea instead of the esophagus. This can be either partial or complete, posing a risk of respiratory failure or death. Children, due to having narrower airways and proportionally larger tongues, are especially vulnerable to such events. Since a large part of a child’s time is spent in the school environment, FBAO episodes can occur in this context, highlighting the importance of teacher preparedness for both prevention and intervention. Studies show that in 50% of deaths caused by obstruction, no attempt at performing any maneuver was made by bystanders, revealing a lack of training or confidence in providing care. In response to the need to reduce errors in FBAO management, the “Lucas Law” was established, making it mandatory for teachers and staff in both public and private early childhood education and recreational institutions to be trained in first aid.Objective: To identify, among early childhood education professionals, the ability to deal with situations of foreign body airway obstruction. Methodology: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quanti-qualitative approach, conducted with