Immediate action to control bleeding after a suicide attempt is to

Immediate action to control bleeding after a suicide attempt is to

• A. Elevate the arm
• B. Determine whether the bleeding is arterial blood
• C. Apply a tourniquet distal to the laceration
• D. Apply pressure to the laceration

Answer: (D)

Direct pressure on the wound is the first and best action to control bleeding. Applying firm, direct pressure quickly compresses the injured vessels, helps form a clot, and reduces血 loss right away. Elevating the limb can help reduce blood flow, but it shouldn’t replace pressing on the wound, and delay isn’t helpful in an active bleed. A tourniquet is a later option for severe, uncontrolled bleeding when direct pressure isn’t enough; it should be placed proximal to the wound, not distal to it, and used only when trained to do so. There’s no need to determine whether the bleeding is arterial before acting—start with direct pressure, then reassess and escalate if the bleeding continues.

Direct pressure on the wound is the first and best action to control bleeding. Applying firm, direct pressure quickly compresses the injured vessels, helps form a clot, and reduces血 loss right away. Elevating the limb can help reduce blood flow, but it shouldn’t replace pressing on the wound, and delay isn’t helpful in an active bleed. A tourniquet is a later option for severe, uncontrolled bleeding when direct pressure isn’t enough; it should be placed proximal to the wound, not distal to it, and used only when trained to do so. There’s no need to determine whether the bleeding is arterial before acting—start with direct pressure, then reassess and escalate if the bleeding continues.