Which statement best describes deliberate tourniquet placement relative to joints?

• A. 2-4 inches above the wound on the skin, not over a joint
• B. Directly over the wound
• C. On the other limb
• D. Across the joint

Answer: (A)

The key idea is to make a tourniquet sit on a straight, solid part of the limb between the wound and the heart so it can reliably compress the artery. Placing it about 2-4 inches above the wound on bare skin ensures the pressure is applied to a stable area and can block blood flow to the injured site. Avoid putting it over a joint because joints are mobile and have irregular contours; a tourniquet over a joint is more likely to slip or fail to occlude the vessel, reducing effectiveness and increasing risk of tissue damage. Placing it directly over the wound would hinder effective compression and can worsen injury.