First Aid for Corrections Officers Practice Test

What is characteristic of venous bleeding?

1. Bright red blood that spurts from a wound

2. Dark red blood flowing steadily from a wound

3. Clotted blood with a thick viscosity

4. Blood with air bubbles indicating arterial injury

The correct answer is: Dark red blood flowing steadily from a wound

Venous bleeding is characterized by dark red blood that flows steadily from a wound. This is due to the nature of how blood circulates in the body: veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart, resulting in a darker hue compared to oxygenated arterial blood. The steady flow is indicative of the lower pressure within the venous system, unlike arterial bleeding, which is more forceful and characterized by spurting due to the higher pressure in arteries. Understanding the characteristics of venous bleeding is crucial in first aid, as it aids in implementing the correct management approach to control the bleeding effectively. A steady, dark red flow suggests that pressure may need to be applied to the wound in a manner that is different from treating arterial wounds, where other immediate interventions such as elevation or applying a tourniquet may be needed.