Which statement about tourniquet use is correct?

• A. You should always attempt to pack dressings into wound before applying tourniquet.
• B. A tourniquet should be applied only after direct pressure fails.
• C. A tourniquet should be applied proximally and tightened until the bleeding stops.
• D. Tourniquets are never used in field care.

Answer: (C)

The goal when dealing with severe limb bleeding is to stop blood loss quickly by applying a tourniquet above the wound. By placing the tourniquet proximally and tightening it, you compress the blood vessels supplying the limb, which stops arterial bleeding and buys time for treatment. This direct, definitive control of hemorrhage is why tightening until the bleeding stops is the correct approach.

Packing a dressing before applying the tourniquet can delay control of bleeding, and you don’t need to wait for direct pressure to fail before using a tourniquet in a life-threatening bleed. Tourniquets are standard tools in field care for stopping dangerous limb hemorrhage, and they’re used when bleeding cannot be controlled quickly with direct pressure.