Utah Contractor Practice Exam

In case of a deep gushing wound on the forearm, what is the appropriate action to take to control bleeding?

1. Apply a tourniquet

2. Apply direct pressure to the wound

3. Apply pressure to the brachial artery

4. Apply pressure 6" below the wound or joint

The correct answer is: Apply direct pressure to the wound

In the case of a deep gushing wound on the forearm, applying direct pressure to the wound is the most effective immediate action to control bleeding. Direct pressure helps to promote clot formation and reduces blood flow from the injury site. When pressure is applied, it can help compress the blood vessels directly at the site of the wound, which is crucial in controlling severe bleeding. This method is often recommended as the first step in bleeding control because it is straightforward and can be performed quickly without specialized training. In many cases, maintaining pressure for several minutes can significantly reduce or stop the bleeding, allowing for further medical treatment to be administered. Utilizing other methods, such as applying a tourniquet or exerting pressure on major arteries, while sometimes necessary, is typically reserved for situations where direct pressure is not effective or feasible. In a practical emergency context, it’s important to address the issue of bleeding directly at the source before considering alternatives, making direct pressure the preferred method in this scenario.