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?

A. Apply a transparent dressing to the wound: Incorrect. Transparent dressings are not appropriate for controlling active bleeding. B. Tie a tourniquet around the leg distal to the wound: Incorrect. A tourniquet should only be used as a last resort if direct pressure fails to control the bleeding. C. Apply direct pressure to the wound with thick dressing material: Direct pressure is the first-line intervention to control bleeding and promote hemostasis. D. Irrigate the wound with sterile water: Incorrect. Irrigation is not the priority in an actively bleeding wound; controlling the bleeding is more critical.