Chapter 10 Bandaging 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 May also be used underneath of tape, such as double stick tape, ace wraps, flexitape, or athletic tape

Types of Dressings (2 of 2) Adhesive strips (Bandaids) Small cuts and abrasions Trauma dressings Large, thick, absorbent Sometimes referred to as telfa pads

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: Checking for Capillary Refill 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 Elastic roller bandages Nonelastic cotton Elastic roller bandages Provide compression

Types of Bandages (3 of 3) Triangular bandages Slings Cravats Adhesive tape and strips

Applying a Cravat Bandage to the Head (1 of 2) Place middle of bandage over the dressing and wrap around the head.

Applying a Cravat Bandage to the Head (2 of 2) Cross the two ends snugly. Bring ends back around and tie knot.

Applying a Cravat Bandage to the Arm or Leg (1 of 2) Wrap center of bandage over the dressing.

Applying a Cravat Bandage to 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 Bandage to 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 Bandage to 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 Bandage Figure-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—the way the book shows is incorrect… 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.

Applying a foam “Horseshoe” Some sort of foam Craft foam works GREAT Helps to push the swelling out of the ankle

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.