When treating a nosebleed, which position should the person assume to prevent blood from entering the throat?

When treating a nosebleed, which position should the person assume to prevent blood from entering the throat?

• A. Sit and lean forward
• B. Sit upright and tilt the head back
• C. Lie flat on the back
• D. Tilt the head down to the side

Answer: (A)

Keep the head upright and lean the person forward slightly. This posture uses gravity to keep blood from flowing back toward the throat and airway, reducing the chance of swallowing blood, choking, or vomiting while you apply pressure to the nostrils. Tilting the head back lets blood run into the throat and down the airway, which can irritate the stomach or trigger coughing and choking. Lying flat also allows blood to pool in the throat. Tilting the head down to the side is not as effective for stopping blood from dripping toward the throat and can still lead to swallowing blood. While in this forward-leaning position, pinch the soft part of the nose and hold for several minutes to help form a clot and control the bleed.

Keep the head upright and lean the person forward slightly. This posture uses gravity to keep blood from flowing back toward the throat and airway, reducing the chance of swallowing blood, choking, or vomiting while you apply pressure to the nostrils.

Tilting the head back lets blood run into the throat and down the airway, which can irritate the stomach or trigger coughing and choking. Lying flat also allows blood to pool in the throat. Tilting the head down to the side is not as effective for stopping blood from dripping toward the throat and can still lead to swallowing blood.

While in this forward-leaning position, pinch the soft part of the nose and hold for several minutes to help form a clot and control the bleed.