OFA Wound Care & Bleeding Control 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of wound irrigation in first aid?
- To stop arterial bleeding
- To remove debris and reduce the risk of infection (Correct answer)
- To promote faster clotting
- To numb the wound for pain relief
Correct answer: To remove debris and reduce the risk of infection
Irrigation with clean water or saline flushes out contaminants and bacteria, significantly reducing the risk of wound infection.
Question 2: When is it appropriate to use a hemostatic dressing (e.g., Combat Gauze) in an occupational first-aid setting?
- For all minor cuts and abrasions
- Only on wounds of the head and neck
- For life-threatening hemorrhage where direct pressure alone is insufficient (Correct answer)
- As a first step before applying direct pressure
Correct answer: For life-threatening hemorrhage where direct pressure alone is insufficient
Hemostatic dressings are reserved for severe, life-threatening bleeding that cannot be controlled by direct pressure alone.
Question 3: A co-worker's wound has bright red blood spurting in rhythm with the heartbeat. Which vessel is most likely injured?
- A capillary
- A vein
- An artery (Correct answer)
- A lymphatic vessel
Correct answer: An artery
Arterial blood is oxygenated and under high pressure, causing it to spurt in pulses synchronized with the heartbeat.
Question 4: What is 'wound evisceration' and what is the correct first-aid response?
- A bruise under the skin; apply ice
- Organs protruding from an abdominal wound; cover with a moist sterile dressing and do not push organs back in (Correct answer)
- A puncture wound to the chest; seal with an occlusive dressing
- Bleeding from a vein; apply a tourniquet
Correct answer: Organs protruding from an abdominal wound; cover with a moist sterile dressing and do not push organs back in
Evisceration involves abdominal organs protruding through a wound; they must be covered with moist sterile material and never forced back in.
Question 5: Which sign indicates that a dressing over a wound is no longer effective and needs to be changed?
- The dressing is slightly warm to the touch
- Blood has soaked through the outer layer of the dressing (Correct answer)
- The bandage has been in place for more than 1 hour
- The victim reports mild discomfort
Correct answer: Blood has soaked through the outer layer of the dressing
Strike-through (blood soaking through to the outer layer) indicates the dressing is saturated; add additional dressings on top and continue pressure.
Question 6: Why should you NOT remove the original dressing when blood soaks through it?
- It may cause an allergic reaction
- Removing it disturbs the clot forming beneath and restarts bleeding (Correct answer)
- The wound may become contaminated
- It is too painful for the victim
Correct answer: Removing it disturbs the clot forming beneath and restarts bleeding
The original dressing supports clot formation; removing it disrupts the clot and can significantly increase blood loss.
Question 7: A worker sustains a crush injury to the hand with no open wound but significant swelling and discoloration. What is this type of injury called?
- Laceration
- Avulsion
- Contusion (bruise) (Correct answer)
- Abrasion
Correct answer: Contusion (bruise)
A contusion results from blunt force trauma that damages tissue and blood vessels beneath intact skin, causing swelling and discoloration.
OFA Wound Care & Bleeding Control 3
What is the primary purpose of wound irrigation in first aid?