Chapter 10Bandaging Wounds

Dressings (1 of 2)

• A dressing covers an open wound and touches the wound.

• Whenever possible, a dressing should be: • Sterile• Larger than the wound• Thick, soft, and compressible• Lint free

Dressings (2 of 2)

• Purpose of a dressing: • Control bleeding• Prevent infection and contamination • Absorb blood and drainage• Protect wound

Types of Dressings (1 of 2)

• Gauze pads• For small wounds

Types of Dressings (2 of 2)

• Adhesive strips• Small cuts and

abrasions• Trauma dressings

• Large, thick, absorbent

Improvised Dressings

• Should be:• Clean• Absorbent• Soft• As free of lint as possible

Applying a Sterile Dressing

• Wash hands and wear exam gloves.

• Hold dressing by one corner and place over wound.• Do not slide over wound.• Do not touch dressing.

• Cover with bandage.

Bandages (1 of 2)

• Should be clean but need not be sterile• Can be used to:

• Hold a dressing in place• Apply direct pressure• Prevent or reduce swelling• Provide support and stability for an

extremity or joint

Bandages (2 of 2)

• Signs that a bandage may be too tight: • Blue tinge on fingernails or toenails• Blue or pale skin color• Tingling, loss of sensation • Coldness• Inability to move fingers or toes• Inability to feel a pulse that could previously

be felt

Types of Bandages (1 of 3)

• Roller bandages• Various widths,

lengths, and types of material

• Self-adhering, conforming bandages• Elastic, gauzelike

Types of Bandages (2 of 3)

• Gauze rollers• Nonelastic cotton

• Elastic roller bandages• Provide

compression

Types of Bandages (3 of 3)

• Triangular bandages• Slings• Cravats

• Adhesive tape and strips

Applying a Cravat Bandageto the Head (1 of 2)

• Place middle of bandage over the dressing and wrap around the head.

Applying a Cravat Bandageto the Head (2 of 2)

• Cross the two ends snugly.

• Bring ends back around and tie knot.

Applying a Cravat Bandageto the Arm or Leg (1 of 2)

• Wrap center of bandage over the dressing.

Applying a Cravat Bandageto the Arm or Leg (2 of 2)

• Turn one end going up the extremity and the other end going down.

• Tie bandage over dressing.

Applying a Cravat Bandageto Palm of Hand (1 of 2)

• Fill palm with bulky dressing or pad, and close fingers.

• Wrap one end around fingers, other around wrist.

Applying a Cravat Bandageto Palm of Hand (2 of 2)

• Wrap bandage, crossing over fingers and around wrist.

• Tie bandage at the wrist.

Applying a Roller Bandage Spiral Method (1 of 2)

• Make two straight, anchoring turns.

Applying a Roller Bandage Spiral Method (2 of 2)

• Make overlapping crisscross turns.

• Finish with two straight turns and secure.

Applying a Roller BandageFigure-Eight Method (1 of 7)

• For elbow or knee:• Make two straight turns

over joint. • Make one turn above joint,

overlapping the first turn.

Applying a Roller Bandage Figure-Eight Method (2 of 7)

• For elbow or knee (cont’d):• Make one turn below joint,

overlapping first straight turn.• Continue alternating turns.

Applying a Roller Bandage Figure-Eight Method (3 of 7)

• For elbow or knee (cont’d):• Finish with two

straight turns to secure end.

Applying a Roller Bandage Figure-Eight Method (4 of 7)

• For hand:• Make two straight turns around palm.• Carry bandage diagonally across back of

hand, around wrist, and back across palm.

Applying a Roller Bandage Figure-Eight Method (5 of 7)

• For hand (cont’d):• Make several

figure-eight turns, overlapping each.

• Finish with two straight turns around wrist; secure end.

Applying a Roller Bandage Figure-Eight Method (6 of 7)

• For ankle:• Make two straight turns around instep.• Make figure-eight turn across front of foot,

around ankle, and under arch.

Applying a Roller Bandage Figure-Eight Method (7 of 7)

• For ankle (cont’d):• Make several

figure-eight turns, overlapping each turn and advancing up the leg.

• Finish with two straight turns around leg; secure end.

Securing Bandages (1 of 5)

• Adhesive tape• Safety pins• Clips provided

with bandage

Securing Bandages (2 of 5)

• Loop method:• Reverse direction

of tape by looping around thumb or finger and work backward.

Securing Bandages (3 of 5)

• Loop method (cont’d):• Encircle body part

with the looped and free ends and tie ends together.

Securing Bandages (4 of 5)

• Split-tail method:• Split end of

bandage lengthwise.

• Knot to prevent further splitting.

Securing Bandages (5 of 5)

• Split-tail method (cont’d):• Pass ends in

opposite directions around body part and tie.

Applying an Adhesive Strip

• Remove wrapping, and hold by protective strips.

• Peel back protective strips, and place on wound.

• Pull away protective strips, and press ends and edges down.