nosebleed [AS, nosu + ME, blod, blood] , (Informal) abnormal hemorrhage from the nose. Emergency responses to nosebleed include seating the patient upright with the head thrust forward to prevent swallowing of blood. Asking the patient to apply pressure with both thumbs directly under the nostril and above the lips may block the main artery supplying blood to the nose. Alternatively, pressure with both forefingers on each side of the nostril often slows bleeding by blocking the main arteries and their branches. Continued bleeding may require the insertion within the nostril of cotton or another absorbent material saturated with local anesthesia and vasoconstricting agents, followed by the reapplication of pressure. Continued bleeding may require cautery. Also called epistaxis.
