What is an acceptable treatment for a patient suffering from epistaxis?

An appropriate treatment for a patient experiencing epistaxis, or a nosebleed, is to tilt the head forward and breathe through the mouth. This position helps to prevent the blood from flowing down the back of the throat, which can lead to swallowing blood or potentially choking. By leaning forward, the patient can allow the blood to exit from the nostrils rather than being ingested, thereby minimizing the risk of complications.

Additionally, maintaining an upright position while leaning slightly forward promotes easier control over the bleeding and can generally provide the person with a better sense of comfort during the episode. This method aligns well with standard first aid recommendations for handling nosebleeds.

Option A suggests tilting the head back, which can actually cause blood to flow down the throat and increase the risk of aspiration or swallowing blood, making it a less suitable approach. The application of ice (option C) can be helpful in reducing swelling or inflammation but does not directly address the active bleeding. Similarly, lying down and elevating the legs (option D) isn’t a recommended practice for managing epistaxis and could lead to increased blood pressure in the head, which may exacerbate the bleeding.