MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

Which type of bleeding is indicated by bright red blood that squirts out?

1. Venous

2. Capillary

3. Arterial

4. None of the above

The correct answer is: Arterial

Bright red blood that squirts out is indicative of arterial bleeding. This type of bleeding occurs when an artery is severed or severely damaged, allowing blood to escape with force. The bright red color is due to the oxygen-rich blood being transported from the heart. The squirting motion is a direct result of the higher pressure in arteries compared to veins, which leads to blood being expelled in spurts that coincide with the heartbeat. In contrast, venous bleeding typically produces a steady flow of darker red blood, while capillary bleeding is usually slow and oozes from superficial wounds. The nature of arterial bleeding is thus clearly characterized by its rapid, forceful expulsion, making it easily distinguishable from the other types.