When a dressing saturated with blood is present on a large forearm laceration, what is the next appropriate action?

When a dressing saturated with blood is present on a large forearm laceration, what is the next appropriate action?

• A. Remove the saturated dressings and apply a large trauma dressing
• B. Apply an ice pack over the original dressing
• C. Apply additional dressing material over the top of the original dressing and bandage it in place
• D. Apply a tourniquet

Answer: (C)

Keep applying pressure by reinforcing the dressing rather than removing it. When a dressing becomes saturated, the priority is to maintain tamponade on the wound to support clot formation. Do not lift or replace the soaked dressing, because that can disrupt the forming clot and renew bleeding. Instead, place fresh, absorbent material directly over the existing dressing and secure it with a bandage to maintain continuous pressure. Ice packs don’t control bleeding and can injure tissue, and a tourniquet is only needed if bleeding cannot be controlled with direct pressure and dressing. If bleeding continues through the new layer, reassess and escalate care as needed.

Keep applying pressure by reinforcing the dressing rather than removing it. When a dressing becomes saturated, the priority is to maintain tamponade on the wound to support clot formation. Do not lift or replace the soaked dressing, because that can disrupt the forming clot and renew bleeding. Instead, place fresh, absorbent material directly over the existing dressing and secure it with a bandage to maintain continuous pressure. Ice packs don’t control bleeding and can injure tissue, and a tourniquet is only needed if bleeding cannot be controlled with direct pressure and dressing. If bleeding continues through the new layer, reassess and escalate care as needed.