Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

Which type of bleeding is characterized by a steady yet slow flow?

1. Arterial bleed

2. Venous bleed

3. Capillary bleed

4. None of the above

The correct answer is: Venous bleed

Venous bleeding is characterized by a steady yet slow flow of blood. This occurs because veins are responsible for returning deoxygenated blood back to the heart under lower pressure compared to arteries. When a vein is injured, the blood can flow more slowly and steadily, often appearing darker in color due to its lower oxygen content. Arterial bleeding, in contrast, is typically more rapid and presents as bright red spurts of blood that pulse with the heartbeat, owing to the higher pressure in the arterial system. Capillary bleeding is usually minor and occurs from small blood vessels; it tends to ooze rather than flow steadily, making it less consistent in its quantity and speed. Therefore, venous bleeding’s steady nature reflects the pressure dynamics and behavior of blood flow in the venous system.