NREMT Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Cognitive ExamTraumaEasy
A 28-year-old male sustained a laceration to his left thigh from a chainsaw. You observe dark red blood flowing steadily from the wound. Which type of bleeding is MOST likely present?
- AArterial bleeding
- BCapillary bleeding
- CInternal bleeding
- DVenous bleeding
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Venous bleeding
Dark red blood flowing steadily is characteristic of venous bleeding. Arterial bleeding is bright red and typically spurts, while capillary bleeding is a slow ooze. Internal bleeding is not directly observed externally in this manner.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Arterial bleeding is bright red and usually spurts or pulses with the heartbeat.
- B. Capillary bleeding is a slow, generalized ooze from small vessels.
- C. Internal bleeding occurs inside the body and is not directly visible flowing steadily from an external wound.
Types of External Bleeding
External bleeding is classified by the type of blood vessel damaged: arterial, venous, or capillary, each with distinct characteristics.
- Arterial: bright red, spurting.
- Venous: dark red, steady flow.
- Capillary: dark red, oozing.
Memory trick: Artery bright and spurting fast, vein dark and flowing last, capillary just a gentle ooze.