First Aid: Bleeding and Bandaging

When preparing to provide first aid care for a bleeding patient, which of the following is the most important thing to do to protect yourself?

• use disposable gloves

• use a clean dressing on the wound

• prevent signs and symptoms of shock

• call 911

You are with a patient who is bleeding from his leg. You determine it is venous blood because it:

• is bright red

• spurts from the wound

• clots instantaneously

• flows steadily

Which of the following is the first step to take to control a bleeding leg wound?

• elevate the patient's leg above the heart

• use a tourniquet to stop the bleeding

• apply direct pressure with clean gauze over the wound

• wrap the wound with a long roller bandage

If a person was in a car accident, which sign would make you suspect that person has internal bleeding? (Choose all that apply)

• coughing up blood

• rapid, weak pulse

• bruising on the chest

• pain and swelling

When applying a dressing to an open bleeding wound, you use a sterile (clean) dressing for what reason?

• to slow down the bleeding

• to absorb a greater amount of blood

• to prevent air from entering the wound

• to minimize the risk of infection

Which type of bleeding is the most urgent?

• arterial

• capillary

• venous

• they are all equally urgent

Which of the following clues indicates arterial bleeding? (Choose all that apply)

• bright red color

• spurting blood with each heart beat

• superficial, easily clotting

• dark red color

You notice that blood has soaked through the dressing and bandage. You would do this first:

• elevate the body part above the heart level

• apply another dressing and bandage over the top of the first one

• remove the bandage and dressing and start over

• tie a tourniquet

A patient experiences minor internal capillary bleeding (bruising) on his lower leg. Which action is most appropriate?

• apply a cold pack to the area

• add some antibiotic ointment to the area

• maintain pressure on the nearby arterial pressure point

• elevate the lower leg above the heart

When applying direct pressure for serious bleeding, you would first use:

• your hand

• an arterial pressure point

• your fingertips

• your thumb