Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Test

How can positive pressure be applied to a severe wound?

1. Apply a tourniquet

2. Administer high-flow oxygen

3. Perform CPR

4. Use an occlusive dressing

The correct answer is: Use an occlusive dressing

Applying positive pressure to a severe wound is essential for controlling bleeding and promoting clot formation. Using an occlusive dressing achieves this by sealing the wound and preventing air from entering the wound site. This method helps maintain the pressure inside the wound, which can assist in controlling hemorrhage by creating a barrier that aids in the formation of clotting factors and reduces the risk of infection by limiting exposure to outside contaminants. When an occlusive dressing is applied effectively, it creates a closed environment that helps support the body's natural healing processes. Maintaining pressure on the wound through this method can also help to compress blood vessels, further aiding in reducing blood flow and potential blood loss. The other options focus on different aspects of patient care and do not apply positive pressure to a wound in the same effective capacity. While a tourniquet is useful for controlling severe limb bleeding, it is not the primary method for applying pressure to a wound directly. Administering high-flow oxygen is critical for supporting a patient's overall oxygenation status, but it does not address the wound itself. Performing CPR is important in cases of cardiac arrest but is unrelated to the management of bleeding from a severe wound. Thus, using an occlusive dressing is the most effective choice for applying positive pressure directly to a severe