What should a medical assistant do if a patient starts to bleed profusely after a blood draw?

In the event that a patient begins to bleed profusely after a blood draw, applying pressure to the site is the most appropriate action. This technique helps to control the bleeding by promoting clot formation at the puncture site. The application of pressure can stem the flow of blood, minimizing the risk of excessive blood loss and further complications.

While it is also important to ensure that help is summoned if the situation becomes unmanageable, initiating pressure at the site immediately addresses the immediate risk posed by the bleeding. Offering water or changing the bandage could be relevant at a later stage, but they do not provide an immediate solution to control the acute bleeding happening at that moment. Therefore, applying pressure focuses on the most critical need to stabilize the patient’s condition quickly.