Which action is appropriate to control internal bleeding from a fractured limb in the field?

Which action is appropriate to control internal bleeding from a fractured limb in the field?

• A. Splint the extremity.
• B. Apply a tourniquet first.
• C. Keep the patient moving.
• D. Apply a chemical ice pack directly to the wound.

Answer: (A)

Splinting the limb to immobilize it is the appropriate action because restricting movement of a fractured limb helps limit ongoing internal bleeding and tissue disruption. When bones and surrounding vessels are kept still, the chance of further injury and blood loss is reduced, and pain is often lessened. A tourniquet is reserved for severe external bleeding when direct pressure cannot control it; it does not address internal bleeding behind tissues and can cause additional harm if used inappropriately. Keeping the patient moving would worsen injury and bleeding, and applying a chemical ice pack directly to the wound can cause skin damage without reliably stopping internal bleeding. Splinting provides stabilization that supports safer field care.

Splinting the limb to immobilize it is the appropriate action because restricting movement of a fractured limb helps limit ongoing internal bleeding and tissue disruption. When bones and surrounding vessels are kept still, the chance of further injury and blood loss is reduced, and pain is often lessened. A tourniquet is reserved for severe external bleeding when direct pressure cannot control it; it does not address internal bleeding behind tissues and can cause additional harm if used inappropriately. Keeping the patient moving would worsen injury and bleeding, and applying a chemical ice pack directly to the wound can cause skin damage without reliably stopping internal bleeding. Splinting provides stabilization that supports safer field care.