What should be done to treat a patient with epistaxis?

• A. Lay them down flat
• B. Instruct to breathe through the nose
• C. Press firmly against the nasal septum for about 10 minutes
• D. Apply ice to the forehead

Answer: (C)

To treat a patient with epistaxis, applying firm pressure to the nasal septum for about 10 minutes is the most effective and recommended method. This technique helps control the bleeding by compressing the blood vessels within the septum, allowing time for clot formation. Maintaining pressure for the full duration is crucial as it ensures that the bleeding is halted, preventing further blood loss.

Other methods, such as laying the patient down flat, are not beneficial because this position can increase blood flow to the head and worsen the bleeding. Instructing the patient to breathe through the nose is also counterproductive during epistaxis, as it can exacerbate the bleeding if the patient inadvertently disrupts the clotting process. Applying ice to the forehead may offer some relief by causing vasoconstriction of the blood vessels, but it does not directly address the cause of the bleeding or provide the same level of effectiveness as direct pressure on the septum.