You are treating a patient who was dizzy and fell, sustaining a laceration to the forehead. He does not appear to be having a hypertensive crisis. Aside from determining he cause of the dizziness, how should you deal with the bleeding?

A. Pack the wound with gauze.
B. Direct pressure and a bandage.
C. Use a pressure point.
D. Apply an occlusive dressing.

Answer: B. Direct pressure and a bandage.
If the patient's actual blood pressure during this emergency is near his average blood pressure, the EMT should focus treatment on the symptoms and not the blood pressure itself. However, if a patient is found to be experiencing a seizure, for instance, but his Norma blood pressure is 110/60 mmHg and you find that his current blood pressure is 168/90 mmHg, the blood pressure must be considered during the assessment as a possible aetiology or sign of a condition causing the laceration. The patient will need bleeding control and a bandage.