Assessment of a patient with a history of bleeding, even if it appears to have stopped, must start with an initial ABC assessment concentrating on the airway and haemodynamic status.
If the patient is still actively bleeding and there is evidence of haemodynamic compromise, then both resuscitative and first aid measures should be started immediately.
First aid to stem nasal bleeding
Treat epistaxis as a circulatory emergency depending on the severity especially in the elderly, patients with clotting disorders or bleeding tendency and those on anticoagulants. Always insert at least a green IV cannula and to make sure to send the FBC, U&Es, clotting and group and save (depending on blood loss) in these patients. Also try to allocate them in majors or area where they are closely observed as some times dislodgement of blood clot could lead to a catastrophic bleed in these patients.