Bleeding and Wound Care Flashcards

A person has a deep puncture wound from stepping on a nail. After controlling bleeding, what is the most important next step?

Answer: Apply direct pressure and seek medical care for tetanus risk

Puncture wounds carry high tetanus risk and require medical evaluation even if bleeding is controlled.

Which type of wound has the highest risk of infection due to bacteria introduced at the time of injury?

Answer: Animal bite wound

Animal bites introduce bacteria deep into tissue and carry the highest infection risk, including rabies.

A wound is spurting bright red blood in pulses. This indicates injury to which type of blood vessel?

Answer: Artery

Bright red blood spurting in pulses is characteristic of arterial bleeding due to high pressure from the heart.

When applying a pressure bandage to a wound, how should you position the bandage?

Answer: Tight enough to maintain pressure but allowing pulse below

A pressure bandage should maintain firm pressure while still allowing circulation distal to the wound.

If a wound dressing becomes soaked with blood, what should you do?

Answer: Add more dressings on top and continue applying pressure

Adding more dressings on top preserves clotting that has begun and maintains continuous pressure.

A child scrapes their knee on asphalt. Which action is most important when cleaning this abrasion?

Answer: Gently remove debris and rinse with clean water

Rinsing with clean water removes debris and bacteria; hydrogen peroxide can damage tissue and delay healing.

What does 'hemostasis' mean in the context of wound care?

Answer: The body's process of stopping bleeding

Hemostasis refers to the physiological process by which bleeding is stopped through clotting and vessel constriction.