What is the appropriate use of a tourniquet in trauma care?

• A. For any active bleeding, regardless of location
• B. For life-threatening extremity hemorrhage when direct pressure fails or is impractical; place proximal to the wound and monitor distal perfusion
• C. Only after direct pressure is applied for at least 10 minutes
• D. Never use a tourniquet in trauma

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that a tourniquet is a life-saving measure for controlling life-threatening bleeding from an extremity when direct pressure either can’t stop the bleed or can’t be applied effectively. You place it proximal to the wound (between the wound and the heart) to occlude arterial inflow, and after application you monitor distal perfusion to assess limb viability and detect ischemia. This approach prioritizes stopping the hemorrhage quickly to prevent exsanguination while awaiting definitive care. The other notions aren’t appropriate: a tourniquet isn’t used for every type of bleeding or non-extremity wounds, there isn’t a mandated fixed wait time before applying one, and it isn’t something you never use.