In the case of a choking infant, what is the purpose of delivering back slaps and chest thrusts?

Delivering back slaps and chest thrusts in the case of a choking infant is primarily aimed at clearing the airway. When an infant is choking, it typically means that an object is obstructing the airway, which can lead to a lack of airflow and the inability to breathe. The technique of performing back slaps, followed by chest thrusts, is designed to create enough force to dislodge the obstruction.

Back slaps help leverage gravity and the force of the caregiver's hands to generate the necessary momentum to expel the object from the infant's airway. If back slaps are not successful, chest thrusts can be employed to generate further pressure and aid in the removal of the blockage. This two-step approach is vital in restoring the infant’s ability to breathe by clearing the obstruction, which can ultimately prevent serious injury or death.

The other options do not align with the primary objective in this emergency situation. Providing comfort or maintaining warmth are not immediate priorities during a choking incident. Similarly, while stimulating breathing is important in other scenarios, it is not the direct goal of these maneuvers during a choking episode; the focus must be on the clearance of the airway first.