Life-threatening bleeding is typically characterized by spurting blood and blood that is flowing continuously , and these are the two options usually selected in this type of question.

Key characteristics (the 2 answers)

  • Spurting blood
    • Suggests arterial bleeding under high pressure.
    • Often bright red and synchronized with the heartbeat, which can lead to rapid blood loss and shock if not controlled quickly.
  • Flowing continuously
    • Indicates severe venous or large-vessel bleeding where blood does not just ooze or drip but keeps coming out in a steady stream.
    • This level of continuous flow can quickly become life-threatening because a large volume of blood can be lost in a short time.

Why trickling/oozing are not chosen

  • Trickling or oozing bleeding is usually from smaller vessels or superficial wounds and tends to be slower.
  • While it still needs care, it is less likely by itself to meet criteria for immediate life-threatening hemorrhage compared with spurting or continuously flowing blood.

Correct choices for “Life-threatening bleeding is characterized by which of the following? Select 2 answers.”

  • Spurting
  • Flowing continuously

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.