Ryanair Initial Practice Exam

How should you treat major external bleeding if the initial dressing gets soaked?

1. Remove the stained bandage and reapply

2. Apply another dressing firmly on top

3. Keep pressure on the stained bandage

4. Call for medical assistance immediately

The correct answer is: Apply another dressing firmly on top

When dealing with major external bleeding, if the initial dressing becomes soaked through, the correct approach is to apply another dressing firmly on top of the original one. This technique allows you to maintain the necessary pressure on the wound without disturbing the clotting process that may have already begun underneath the initial dressing. By layering dressings, you can effectively control the bleeding while ensuring that you do not remove any clots that may have formed against the wound. Maintaining pressure is crucial to help stop the blood flow, and adding another dressing simplifies the process while also minimizing the risk of introducing bacteria to the open wound. Therefore, this practice aligns with established first aid protocols for managing significant bleeding effectively.