What is a critical step when packing a wound?

When packing a wound, the critical step is to continue packing the gauze until it is no longer blood-soaked. This ensures that the gauze is effectively applying pressure to control bleeding and absorbing exudate. Proper packing helps to maintain hemostasis while promoting healing by allowing the wound to be appropriately managed.

Efficient packing means the gauze must be placed firmly into the wound, providing adequate compression and coverage. By ensuring the gauze is no longer blood-soaked, it indicates that the bleeding has been controlled and that the packing is achieving the desired effect. This method is vital in tactical and emergency environments where controlling bleeding is paramount to the patient's survival.

The other options could lead to ineffective wound management. For instance, inserting unrolled gauze could cause the dressing to become ineffective in controlling flow and could complicate the packing process. Using only one layer of gauze may not adequately absorb fluids or apply enough pressure to the wound. Not removing existing dressings could potentially trap blood and debris, preventing effective packing and leading to an increased risk of infection or inadequate control of bleeding.