In trauma care, what is the first step in managing severe bleeding?

The first step in managing severe bleeding is to control the source of the bleed. This action is crucial because immediate intervention can prevent significant blood loss and reduce the risk of shock, which is life-threatening. By addressing the source of the bleeding—whether through direct pressure, elevation, or other means—providers can stabilize the patient’s condition more effectively. This approach focuses on the most critical element in severe bleeding management: stopping the blood loss as quickly as possible to maintain adequate circulation and organ perfusion.

While applying a tourniquet may be necessary later on if the bleeding cannot be controlled by other methods, it is often not the first intervention to take when assessing and managing trauma. Assessing vital signs is important, but it should occur in conjunction with immediate control of bleeding, not as a first step. Administering IV fluids is a supportive measure that follows after the source of the bleeding is controlled, as it helps to manage shock or fluid deficit but does not address the immediate danger of ongoing blood loss.