When caring for a child with epistaxis, what is the recommended nursing action?

The recommended nursing action for a child experiencing epistaxis, or a nosebleed, is to apply continuous pressure to the child's nose for at least 10 minutes. This action helps to compress the blood vessels in the nose, which can facilitate clotting and minimize bleeding. By maintaining this pressure for the appropriate duration, you allow the body's natural hemostatic processes to take effect, thus effectively controlling the bleeding.

In managing a nosebleed, it's important to encourage the child to sit upright and lean slightly forward rather than lying down flat or tilting their head back. This position helps to prevent blood from flowing down the throat, which can lead to coughing or choking. Therefore, applying pressure while maintaining an upright posture is the most effective approach for managing epistaxis in children.