Final answer:
A tourniquet is an effective means to control severe bleeding when other methods have failed. It is applied to an extremity to temporarily stop the flow of blood. When properly applied, the tourniquet should be tight enough to stop arterial blood flow but not cause additional damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Application of a tourniquet is an effective means to control severe bleeding when other methods have failed. A tourniquet is a device that is applied to an extremity to temporarily stop the flow of blood. It is commonly used in emergency situations where immediate control of bleeding is necessary. The main goal of a tourniquet is to prevent exsanguination, or the loss of a large amount of blood.
When a tourniquet is properly applied, it should be tight enough to completely occlude arterial blood flow, but not so tight that it causes additional damage to the surrounding tissues. It is important to monitor the patient's extremity distal to the tourniquet for signs of ischemia, such as pallor, coolness, and loss of sensation. If these signs occur, the tourniquet should be loosened slightly to restore blood flow.