When approaching a patient with severe leg bleeding, what is the first action you should take?

• A. Administer oxygen.
• B. Check for a pulse.
• C. Open the airway.
• D. Control the bleeding.

Answer: (D)

Controlling the bleeding is the first priority because life-threatening blood loss can kill quickly. Start by applying direct pressure to the wound with a clean dressing or gauze, using enough force to slow or stop the flow. If blood soaks through, leave the initial dressing in place and add more dressings on top rather than removing them. If direct pressure doesn’t stop the bleeding and you’re trained to do so, consider a tourniquet placed above the wound to halt blood flow.

Oxygen and airway actions are still important, but they’re not the immediate step when there’s a severe external bleed—the bleeding must be addressed first to prevent progression to shock. Checking for a pulse is part of assessing circulation, but in the moment of active hemorrhage the priority is stopping the bleed. After bleeding is controlled, continue with the full assessment (airway, breathing, circulation) and provide oxygen if there are signs of hypoxia or shock.