Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Test

Which type of bleed is characterized by slow, even flow of dark to intermediate red blood?

1. Arterial bleed

2. Capillary bleed

3. Venous bleed

4. Lymphatic bleed

The correct answer is: Capillary bleed

The type of bleed characterized by a slow, even flow of dark to intermediate red blood is indeed a capillary bleed. This type of bleeding typically occurs when small blood vessels are damaged, such as those found in the skin or mucous membranes. The blood from capillary bleeding usually seeps out in a steady manner rather than spurting or gushing, which is indicative of arterial bleeding. The darker color of the blood in capillary bleeding is due to the lower oxygen content compared to arterial blood, which is bright red due to its oxygen-rich state. This distinction is essential for understanding how to assess and manage different types of bleeding in emergency situations.