A patient at the clinic suddenly sustains a deep laceration to the forearm after accidentally breaking a glass window. You notice the wound is bleeding profusely. What is the initial step you should take to control the bleeding?
Check for sensation and temperature below the site of the injury to assess for circulation impairment.
Elevate the limb above the level of the heart.
Apply direct pressure over the wound with a clean cloth or sterile dressing.
Immediately apply a tourniquet above the laceration.
Direct pressure is the most immediate and usually effective method to control bleeding from a laceration. Elevating the wound above the level of the heart and applying a pressure bandage are subsequent steps taken after the initial control of bleeding with direct pressure. Checking for sensation and temperature would be part of assessing for circulation impairment after securing the wound but is not an initial step in bleeding control. Applying a tourniquet is considered a last resort when other methods of bleeding control have failed or are not possible.
Ask Bash
Bash is our AI bot, trained to help you pass your exam. AI Generated Content may display inaccurate information, always double-check anything important.
Why is direct pressure the first step in controlling bleeding?
Open an interactive chat with Bash
What should I do if direct pressure does not stop the bleeding?
Open an interactive chat with Bash
What are the risks of applying a tourniquet too soon?
Open an interactive chat with Bash
AAMA CMA
Clinical Competency
Your Score:
Report Issue
Bash, the Crucial Exams Chat Bot
AI Bot
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Nursing and Medical Assistants Package Join Premium for Full Access