When is a tourniquet appropriate?

• A. For facial injuries
• B. When direct pressure fails to control life-threatening bleeding from an extremity
• C. For any bleeding
• D. For minor bleeding

Answer: (B)

A tourniquet is used as a last-resort measure for life-threatening bleeding from an arm or leg when direct pressure cannot control it. This fits the scenario because the key requirement is serious, uncontrolled bleeding from a limb, where stopping the blood flow quickly can save life. It isn’t appropriate for facial injuries, isn’t needed for any bleeding, and isn’t warranted for minor bleeding since those situations don’t require such invasive intervention. In practice, you’d attempt direct pressure first, then apply a tourniquet to the affected limb high above the wound if bleeding remains uncontrolled.