What is the goal of tourniquet placement?

• A. To stop bleeding and eliminate distal pulse
• B. To stop bleeding only
• C. To stop bleeding and preserve distal pulse
• D. To prevent rebleeding

Answer: (A)

The goal of placing a tourniquet is rapid hemorrhage control by stopping arterial blood flow to the injured limb. When applied correctly, this occludes flow to the distal part of the limb, so the distal pulse is typically no longer palpable. That loss of pulse is a consequence of effective bleeding control, not a measure to aim for as a separate objective. The immediate priority is stopping the bleed, even though it means the distal pulse may disappear. While preventing rebleeding remains important during the overall care, it isn’t the primary moment-to-moment goal of the tourniquet’s placement.