What is essential to monitor in a person after applying a tourniquet?

Monitoring the bleeding at the site of a tourniquet is essential because the primary purpose of the tourniquet is to control and stop severe bleeding, especially in extremities. After applying a tourniquet, it is critical to assess whether the bleeding has stopped, as effective application means that blood flow below the tourniquet is restricted. This monitoring helps to determine if the tourniquet is functioning properly and whether additional measures might be needed in the case of ongoing bleeding or if the tourniquet needs to be adjusted.

While monitoring other aspects, such as heart rate, level of consciousness, and blood pressure, can certainly provide important information about a person's overall condition, they are not as directly related to the immediate effectiveness of the tourniquet as observing bleeding at the site. Continuous assessment of the bleeding can help guide further care decisions until professional medical assistance is available.