A nurse receives a telephone call from a parent reporting that their school-age child has a nosebleed and that they cannot stop the bleeding. Which of the following instructions should the nurse provide to the parent?

Rationale: A. "Have your child lie down and turn their head to the side for 10 minutes." Lying down increases blood flow to the head, which can worsen the nosebleed or cause aspiration if blood is swallowed. Upright posture is preferred to reduce venous pressure in nasal vessels. B. "Place a warm, wet washcloth over your child's forehead and the bridge of their nose." Warm compresses can dilate blood vessels and worsen bleeding. Cold compresses are more appropriate to constrict blood vessels and reduce blood flow. C. "Tell your child to blow their nose gently and then sit down and put their head backward." Blowing the nose can dislodge clots and worsen bleeding. Tilting the head back can cause blood to run down the throat, increasing the risk of nausea, vomiting, or aspiration. D. "Use your thumb and forefinger to apply pressure to the sides of your child's nose." Pinching the soft part of the nose for 10–15 minutes while the child leans slightly forward is the first-line intervention for epistaxis. This reduces bleeding and prevents aspiration.