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Multiple Choice

When should hemostatic dressings be employed?

Hemostatic dressings are used to control external bleeding when direct pressure alone isn’t enough. They’re especially helpful for junctional areas (where a tourniquet can be hard to apply) and for diffuse external hemorrhage that continues despite initial pressure. They’re not for internal bleeding, nor are they limited to use only after a tourniquet—they can be applied when direct pressure fails or isn’t feasible and may be used in conjunction with a tourniquet as needed. To use them, expose the wound, pack the dressing into the wound, apply firm pressure for several minutes to activate clotting, and then secure with additional bandaging.

Hemostatic dressings are used to control external bleeding when direct pressure alone isn’t enough. They’re especially helpful for junctional areas (where a tourniquet can be hard to apply) and for diffuse external hemorrhage that continues despite initial pressure. They’re not for internal bleeding, nor are they limited to use only after a tourniquet—they can be applied when direct pressure fails or isn’t feasible and may be used in conjunction with a tourniquet as needed. To use them, expose the wound, pack the dressing into the wound, apply firm pressure for several minutes to activate clotting, and then secure with additional bandaging.