When is a tourniquet appropriate?

• A. To treat a nosebleed.
• B. Only in a life-threatening emergency when all other ways to control bleeding have failed.
• C. For minor cuts.
• D. As a routine first aid measure for bruises.

Answer: (B)

Tourniquets are a last-resort tool for stopping life-threatening bleeding from a limb when direct pressure cannot control the bleed or when rapid blood loss threatens the person’s life. They’re not used for routine or minor bleeds, such as nosebleeds, small cuts, or bruises, because these injuries can usually be managed with simpler methods and carry less risk of complications. A tourniquet carries its own risks, including tissue and nerve damage, so it’s reserved for severe cases and should be applied by someone with appropriate training. In this context, the best choice describes using a tourniquet only in a life-threatening emergency when all other ways to control bleeding have failed.