Tourniquet step 4: Do not loosen the tourniquet.

Tourniquet step 4: Do not loosen the tourniquet.

• A. Loosen the tourniquet
• B. Loosen if pain occurs
• C. Remove the tourniquet to check bleeding
• D. Do not loosen the tourniquet

Answer: (D)

When a tourniquet is used to control a life-threatening limb bleed, the goal is to keep arterial flow blocked until definitive care arrives. Once the tourniquet is in place, you do not loosen it. Loosening would allow bleeding to start again, undoing the clot that’s forming and risking renewed heavy blood loss or shock. Pain, numbness, or tingling can occur, but the correct action isn’t to loosen the device; instead, monitor the situation, ensure the tourniquet remains properly positioned and tight, and seek further medical help as soon as possible. Removing or loosening to “check the wound” would defeat the purpose of the tourniquet and could lead to dangerous re-bleeding.

When a tourniquet is used to control a life-threatening limb bleed, the goal is to keep arterial flow blocked until definitive care arrives. Once the tourniquet is in place, you do not loosen it. Loosening would allow bleeding to start again, undoing the clot that’s forming and risking renewed heavy blood loss or shock. Pain, numbness, or tingling can occur, but the correct action isn’t to loosen the device; instead, monitor the situation, ensure the tourniquet remains properly positioned and tight, and seek further medical help as soon as possible. Removing or loosening to “check the wound” would defeat the purpose of the tourniquet and could lead to dangerous re-bleeding.