What should you do if a dressing on a deep skin wound becomes saturated with blood?

When a dressing on a deep skin wound becomes saturated with blood, it is essential to remove the saturated dressing to properly assess the wound and ensure that bleeding is effectively controlled. By applying direct pressure while placing a new dressing and bandage, you can help manage the bleeding more effectively. This approach allows for better visualization of the wound, helping to judge the severity of the injury and make informed decisions for further care.

Monitoring a wound without changing a saturated dressing can risk further complications, such as infection or impaired circulation if the dressing is too tight. Similarly, simply covering the saturated dressing with another one does not address the underlying issue of ongoing bleeding and may inhibit assessment of the injury. Additionally, placing ice directly on the wound can cause tissue damage and is not an appropriate method for controlling bleeding in most cases. Therefore, removing the saturated dressing and applying direct pressure with a fresh dressing is the recommended and most effective response to manage a deep skin wound that is bleeding.