What action should be taken if a dressing becomes soaked with blood?

When a dressing becomes soaked with blood, it's essential to address the wound in a manner that maintains pressure and promotes clotting while controlling further bleeding. The most appropriate action in this context is to apply additional dressings on top without removing the original.

This method is advantageous because removing the original dressing can disrupt any clot that has formed and may increase bleeding. By adding more layers, you continue to apply pressure, which helps slow or stop the bleeding while allowing the original dressing to absorb some blood and possibly help in the clotting process. This technique is often recommended in emergency medical situations to stabilize the wound until professional medical help is available.

Applying saline or ice directly to the wound is generally not advised in traumatic injuries, as it can complicate wound management and possibly induce further tissue damage or hypothermia. Cleaning the wound at this stage is inappropriate as well, since it may also remove clots and lead to increased bleeding. Maintaining pressure with additional dressings is the best practice to control bleeding effectively.