A 43 year old man is experiencing a severe nosebleed. His blood pressure is 190/110 mmHg and his heart rate is 90 and bounding. He has no suspected C-spine injury. Appropriate treatment for this patient includes:
a. packing both nostrils with gauze pads until the bleeding stops
b. placing a rolled 4x4 dressing between his lower lip and gum
c. having the patient pinch his own nostrils and then lie supine
d. pinching the patient's nostrils and having him lean forward