Step 26: Hold pressure with your finger over the site for five to seven minutes

Guidelines:

• Press down firmly with one or two fingers over a gauze pad (see the illustration).  Hold it for five to seven minutes.
  
• If the site is still bleeding after five minutes, hold it for five minutes more.
  
• If the site is in the crease of the elbow, keep your arm straight while holding pressure.

Cautions:

• Do not massage or rub the area.
  
• Do not use a pressure bandage in place of finger pressure.

Figure 4-21  Pressing down on the site with a gauze pad.