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?

A. "Place a warm, wet washcloth over your child's forehead and the bridge of their nose.": Applying warmth to the forehead or bridge of the nose is not effective for controlling active anterior epistaxis. Cold compresses may help constrict blood vessels, but pressure at the nasal septum is the primary intervention. B. "Use your thumb and forefinger to apply pressure to the sides of your child's nose.": Direct pressure on the anterior portion of the nose, just below the nasal bone, compresses the Kiesselbach plexus where most pediatric nosebleeds originate. Maintaining pressure for 10–15 minutes while the child leans forward promotes hemostasis and prevents aspiration of blood. C. "Tell your child to blow their nose gently, and then sit down and tilt their head backward.": Blowing the nose can dislodge clots and worsen bleeding, and tilting the head backward increases the risk of blood entering the oropharynx, potentially causing nausea or airway compromise. D. "Have your child lie down and turn their head to the side for 10 minutes.": Lying down does not use gravity to prevent blood from entering the throat effectively, and tilting the head sideways may not provide adequate compression to stop bleeding. Upright positioning with forward tilt is recommended.