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Major haemorrhage — DipIMC MCQ

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HardTraumaMajor haemorrhageDipIMC

A penetrating groin wound is causing life-threatening haemorrhage. Firm direct pressure slows but does not stop it, and the wound is too proximal for an effective limb tourniquet. What is the next local control strategy?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: A — Pack the wound with haemostatic gauze and maintain firm pressure

The best answer is “Pack the wound with haemostatic gauze and maintain firm pressure”. This is junctional haemorrhage, where a conventional limb tourniquet cannot compress the proximal vessel safely. Pack the wound cavity to the bleeding source with an appropriate haemostatic dressing and maintain sustained direct pressure while arranging rapid definitive control and haemostatic resuscitation. Repeated release disrupts clot formation, and fluids cannot substitute for haemorrhage control.

Reference: Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care, Expert consensus for management of external haemorrhage: https://fphc.rcsed.ac.uk/media/1728/consensus_for_the_management_of_external_haemorrhage.pdf