What should always be reassessed after applying a tourniquet?

After applying a tourniquet, it is essential to reassess the effectiveness of bleeding control and limb viability to ensure that the intervention is working as intended. The primary goal of a tourniquet is to stop life-threatening hemorrhage, and confirming that it has effectively controlled the bleeding is critical for the casualty’s survival.

Additionally, evaluating limb viability after tourniquet application involves assessing blood flow, which may include checking for warmth, color, and pulse in the extremity below the tourniquet. Ensuring that the limb remains viable is important, as prolonged tourniquet use can lead to tissue ischemia and necrosis.

Other options, while relevant in some contexts, do not directly address the immediate life-threatening effects of the injury being managed with a tourniquet. The casualty's willingness to cooperate can be influenced by shock or injury status, and while it’s important to gauge, it doesn't have the same immediate impact on assessing the tourniquet’s effectiveness. Pain levels and elapsed time since injury are also valuable considerations but are not as critical as ensuring that bleeding control is maintained and limb viability is preserved immediately after the application of the tourniquet.