Where is a tourniquet correctly placed?

• A. On the trunk
• B. Directly over the wound
• C. On an extremity, proximal to the injury and distal to the heart, away from joints
• D. Around the neck

Answer: (C)

The important idea is to stop arterial blood flow to the injured area by placing the tourniquet on the limb itself, between the wound and the body's core. The best placement is on an extremity, proximal to the injury and distal to the heart, and away from joints. This position puts the device over a straight segment of the limb where it can apply even pressure to occlude the artery feeding the wound, quickly controlling the bleeding. Placing it on the trunk or around the neck is inappropriate because those locations do not reliably control limb bleeding and can create dangerous, life‑threatening complications. Putting the tourniquet directly over the wound is discouraged because it may not provide effective arterial occlusion and can be less stable or cause additional tissue damage; you want the tourniquet to sit on a broad, firm area above the wound to compress the vessel properly.