Bleeding

Question 2

Bright red blood that might be spurting

Answer 2

arterial

Question 3

Dark red blood that’s flowing steadily

Answer 3

venous

Question 4

How to control bleeding?

Answer 4

Direct pressure

Question 5

What do you do before applying direct pressure to wound?

Answer 5

Quickly expose the wound to try to identify the point of bleeding

Question 6

How to use direct pressure to control bleeding

Answer 6

Use pad/dressing; if not available just use clean fabric or gloved hand
Apply firm pressure with fingers or palm directly on bleeding site; push hard if needed, even if painful

Question 7

What do you do if blood soaks through the pad?

Answer 7

Leave initial pad in place to maintain clot
Add a second pad
Replace second pad if needed - too much padding can reduce effectiveness of pressure

Question 8

What do you do once bleeding is controlled?

Answer 8

Maintain direct pressure until higher level of care
Check frequently to ensure bleeding remains controlled

Question 9

How to use pressure bandage

Answer 9

Place it: Put hard embedded pressure piece over point of bleeding
Wrap it: Wrap around limb, overlapping first wrap to secure the pad & pressure piece in place. Tightly apply additional wraps on top of pressure piece; use twists in bandage to apply focused pressure.
Secure it: Using hook at the end
Monitor it: Check frequently to ensure bleeding remains controlled.

Question 10

Bleeding: Where to put tourniquet

Answer 10

A few inches above the wound
Not on a joint

Question 11

Bleeding: How to use commercial tourniquet

Answer 11

Place it.
Apply compression: Use cinching mechanism to tighten til bleeding stops.
Secure it: Lock cinching mechanism in place.

Question 12

Bleeding: How to use improvised tourniquet

Answer 12

Wrap, compression, secure
Wrap snugly around limb & tie half knot to secure.
Apply compression: Place stick-like object on top of half knot & twist to tighten til bleeding stops.
Secure it: Wrap tails of band around stick to prevent unwinding & tie stick in place.

Question 13

Bleeding: What do you do after placing tourniquet?

Answer 13

Document time of application & inform when handing off pt.
Check frequently to ensure bleeding remains controlled.
Don’t loosen or remove unless directed by medical personnel.

Question 14

When would you loosen or remove a tourniquet?

Answer 14

Only if directed by medical personnel.

Question 15

Bleeding: When would you do a packed dressing?

Answer 15

When direct pressure doesn’t control bleeding & a tourniquet can’t be used effectively.

Question 16

Bleeding: How to use packed dressing

Answer 16

Hold dressing in one hand, pull end outward with other hand.
Pack dressing tightly into wound, directly on the point of bleeding; push into every available space.
Once wound is fully packed, place remainder of dressing on top of wound & apply direct pressure until bleeding stops.
Monitor: Check frequently to ensure bleeding remains controlled.