NREMT Paramedic Practice

What does epistaxis refer to?

1. Bleeding from the ear

2. Bleeding from the mouth

3. Bleeding from the nose

4. Bleeding from the gums

The correct answer is: Bleeding from the nose

Epistaxis specifically refers to bleeding from the nose. This term originates from Greek, where "epi" means 'upon' or 'over' and "staxis" means 'a drip' or 'a flow'. In clinical practice, this condition is often assessed in conjunction with its causes, which can range from local trauma, dry air, infections, to systemic issues such as clotting disorders or hypertension. Understanding this terminology is critical, especially in emergency and trauma situations where recognizing signs of bleeding and determining the source quickly can significantly impact patient management and outcomes. Other options describe different forms of bleeding in various regions of the body, which are clinically relevant but do not pertain to the definition of epistaxis.