How should you care for a person experiencing a nosebleed?

When caring for a person experiencing a nosebleed, the most effective approach involves having them sit and lean forward while pinching their nostrils together.

Sitting and leaning forward helps prevent the blood from flowing down the throat, which can potentially cause gagging, choking, or aspiration. This position also encourages blood to flow out of the nostrils rather than back into the sinuses, which is a safer outcome for the individual.

Pinching the nostrils together gives a mechanical pressure that can help constrict the blood vessels in the nose, potentially stopping the bleeding more quickly. Combining these two actions is important for effective management of the condition, as it both helps control the bleeding and ensures that the individual remains in a safer position.

While lying flat could seem like a comfy position, it may increase the risk of blood flowing into the throat, leading to complications. Therefore, the practices of having the person sit and lean forward while applying pressure by pinching the nostrils together are the recommended steps for managing a nosebleed effectively.