A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client who is actively bleeding from a stab wound to the thigh. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Rationale: A. Apply direct pressure to the wound with thick dressing material: Direct pressure is the first-line intervention for controlling active external bleeding. Applying firm pressure with thick, sterile dressing helps tamponade the bleeding vessel and minimizes blood loss while awaiting further treatment. B. Apply a transparent dressing to the wound: Transparent dressings are used for minor wounds or IV sites, not for managing active bleeding. They do not provide the necessary compression to control hemorrhage from a deep or penetrating injury. C. Irrigate the wound with sterile water: Wound irrigation is appropriate for cleaning minor wounds or after bleeding is controlled. Irrigating during active bleeding can delay hemostasis and increase blood loss. D. Tie a tourniquet around the leg distal to the wound: A tourniquet, if necessary, must be placed proximal not distal to the bleeding site to effectively restrict arterial flow. Distal placement worsens bleeding and can compromise tissue perfusion unnecessarily.