In first aid for a bleeding cut, what is the FIRST action the physical therapist should take?

In first aid for a bleeding cut, what is the FIRST action the physical therapist should take?

• A. Donn a pair of gloves
• B. Clean the cut with an antiseptic
• C. Check the patient's blood pressure
• D. Cover the cut with sterile dressing

Answer: (A)

Protection through standard precautions is what this item tests. Before touching a bleeding cut, put on gloves to prevent transmission of bloodborne pathogens to yourself and to avoid contaminating the wound. After that, you can apply direct pressure with a sterile dressing to control the bleed. Cleaning with antiseptic and covering the wound are important steps, but they follow the initial control of bleeding and your protection. Checking blood pressure is not relevant to stopping the bleeding in this basic first-aid scenario.

Protection through standard precautions is what this item tests. Before touching a bleeding cut, put on gloves to prevent transmission of bloodborne pathogens to yourself and to avoid contaminating the wound. After that, you can apply direct pressure with a sterile dressing to control the bleed. Cleaning with antiseptic and covering the wound are important steps, but they follow the initial control of bleeding and your protection. Checking blood pressure is not relevant to stopping the bleeding in this basic first-aid scenario.