Which knot is used to tie a bandage around a wound to stop bleeding quickly?

Appeared in: NVS- 2025

Explanation

The reef knot, also known as a square knot, is the standard technique taught in first aid for securing the ends of a bandage.
Its primary advantage is that it lies flat against the body, which prevents it from creating a pressure point and causing discomfort or further injury.
It is a binding knot, meaning it holds securely under tension, which is essential for maintaining pressure on a wound to control bleeding.
Despite its security, it is also easy to untie, which is important if the bandage needs to be adjusted or the wound needs to be checked quickly.

Option A: The clove hitch is a friction hitch, not a binding knot. It is designed to secure a rope to a cylindrical object and would not hold a bandage securely in place.
Option B: A simple knot, or overhand knot, is the most basic knot but lacks security. It can easily slip or come undone, making it unreliable for maintaining pressure on a wound.
Option D: A granny knot is an improperly tied reef knot. It is unstable, slips easily under tension, and can jam, making it both ineffective and potentially dangerous for medical use.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing First Aid: Bandaging and Knot Tying helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Using the correct knot is a fundamental patient safety skill. An insecure knot like a granny knot can loosen, leading to renewed hemorrhage and wound contamination.
A properly tied reef knot ensures that the pressure from a bandage is distributed evenly and maintained consistently, which is critical for effective hemostasis.
Nurses must be able to assess bandages applied by others and recognize incorrect knotting that could compromise patient care.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question testing knowledge of a basic first aid procedure.
First, identify the purpose described in the stem: tying a bandage to stop bleeding quickly.
Next, consider the essential properties of a knot for this purpose: it must be secure, lie flat to avoid creating pressure points, and be relatively easy to untie for wound access.
Evaluate each option against these criteria. Recall or deduce that the Clove hitch is for securing to objects, the Simple knot is too basic, and the Granny knot is famously unreliable.
This leaves the Reef/Square knot, which is the standard, purpose-designed knot for this application in first aid and medical settings.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Gynecology Williams pp. 4, 431-440

Practise the full NVS- 2025

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.