When should a tourniquet be applied?

• A. When there is a broken bone
• B. When there is excessive bleeding
• C. When the patient is unconscious but bleeding is minor
• D. When the person has a fever

Answer: (B)

Tourniquets are used to control life-threatening external bleeding from a limb when direct pressure cannot stop the bleeding quickly enough. In this scenario, the presence of excessive bleeding signals a severe hemorrhage that needs rapid control to save a life, which is exactly when a tourniquet is indicated. The other options don’t involve a situation where blood flow needs to be rapidly stopped: a broken bone is about injury and splinting, not hemorrhage control; fever isn’t about bleeding; unconscious with minor bleeding isn’t a life-threatening bleed. If a tourniquet is used, place it on a limb above the wound, tighten until bleeding is effectively controlled, and note the time of application for medical personnel. Seek professional medical care as soon as possible.