Epistaxis — MRCGP AKT MCQ

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HardENTEpistaxisMRCGP AKT UKMLA PARA MRCEM SBA

A 34-year-old has spontaneous anterior epistaxis without airway compromise. What is the first management step?

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Correct answer: D — Compress the soft nose firmly while leaning forward

The best answer is “Compress the soft nose firmly while leaning forward”. Initial anterior epistaxis management is firm continuous pressure to the soft part of the nose while the patient leans forward, reducing swallowed blood and allowing clot formation. Posterior packing and specialist intervention are for persistent or posterior bleeding. Supine positioning, repeated nose blowing and delaying compression for antibiotics are counterproductive.

Reference: NICE CKS: Epistaxis: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/epistaxis/