Which of the following should be checked after applying a tourniquet?

After applying a tourniquet, it is crucial to check for a pulse distally. This assessment helps determine whether the tourniquet has effectively restricted blood flow to the area and can indicate the tourniquet's proper placement. If a pulse is still detectable beyond the tourniquet, it suggests that the tourniquet may not be applied tightly enough or that there may be other complications that require immediate attention.

Checking for a pulse is a vital step in ensuring that the applied tourniquet is doing its job of controlling life-threatening bleeding from an extremity. This evaluation is particularly important as the absence of a pulse can confirm that blood flow has been successfully occluded, thereby minimizing the risk of significant blood loss and improving the chance of limb survival following the application of the tourniquet.

While checking limb warmth, excessive bleeding, and patient responsiveness are also important components of a comprehensive assessment, they do not provide the immediate indication of circulatory status that checking for a distal pulse does.