What should you do if a dressing becomes blood soaked?

When dealing with a blood-soaked dressing, it is crucial to ensure proper care to prevent further complications. Stacking a fresh dressing on top of the soiled one is the appropriate response because it helps to maintain pressure on the wound and control bleeding. This method also prevents the removal of potentially clotted blood and debris that have mixed with the original dressing, which could disrupt clot formation and worsen the bleeding.

Applying a new dressing on top of the existing one allows for continued absorption of blood while maintaining the protective barrier that the dressing provides. It is generally advised not to remove a blood-soaked dressing, as doing so might reopen the wound and lead to increased bleeding or infection.

This approach is especially important in emergency situations where waiting for professional medical help is not an immediate option. Properly managing the dressing during such instances helps stabilize the patient before emergency responders arrive.