Injury Care Techniques Lesson 4: Dressing and Bandages Injury Care Techniques

Lesson 4 Dressings A dressing is a sterile covering for a wound or injury. Dressings are used to: stop bleeding prevent infection absorb secretions Gauze pads are the most common materials used for dressings. However, in an emergency situation, any clean cloth can be used. Dressings A dressing is a sterile covering for a wound or injury. Dressings are used to stop bleeding, prevent infection, absorb secretions, and to treat pain. Gauze pads are the most common materials used for dressings. However, in an emergency situation, any clean cloth can be used. Avoid using any materials that have loose fibers, which can infect the wound or injury. Dressings can be held in place with tape or a bandage.

Lesson 4– Bandages A bandage is material used to secure dressings and splints. Tight enough to control bleeding and to hold dressings, but do not interrupt blood circulation Three popular types of bandages are: Triangular Roller gauze Elastic Bandages A bandage is material used to secure dressings and splints. Bandages should be tight enough to control bleeding and to hold a dressing in place. However, they should not interrupt blood circulation. The type of bandage used for an injury depends both on the type of injury and the body part affected by the injury. Three popular types of bandages are triangular, roller gauze, and elastic.

Lesson 4– Elastic and Roller Gauze Bandages Secure dressings and support injured areas. Elastic bandages stretch and mold to the body. Elasticity makes it easy to wrap an injury too tightly. Elastic and Roller Gauze Bandages Elastic and roller gauze bandages come in a variety of widths. They are used to secure dressings and to support injured areas. They can be used on just about any part of the body. Elastic bandages have the advantage of stretching and molding to the body part. However, elastic bandages can also pose a disadvantage because their elasticity makes it easy to wrap an injury too tightly. First aid providers must be careful not to stretch elastic bandages as they are wrapping an injury. Particularly when wrapping the foot or ankle, health care workers must be careful that there are no wrinkles in the bandage. Wrinkles in the bandage wrap can cause skin irritation.

Lesson 4- Elastic Bandages Most often used for compression for injuries to help reduce swelling Can be used to secure dressing for a wound Can also be used for cold application Can provide support to injured tissues

Lesson 4- Technique for application Always begin distally and move proximally Wrap the body part in the position of maximum muscle contraction to ensure unhampered movement and circulation Use a larger number of turns with moderate tension than a limited number of turns and tighter. Each turn of the bandage should be overlapped by at least one half to prevent separation of the material (can pinch and irritate skin)

Lesson 4- Elastic Bandages Elastic bandages may be used to provide support for a variety scenarios: Ankle and foot spica Spiral bandage (spica) Groin support Shoulder spica Elbow figure-eight Gauze hand and wrist figure-eight Cloth ankle wrap

Lesson 4– Triangular Bandages The triangular bandage is a triangular shape of cloth. It is often used for: Head and scalp injuries To create slings for shoulder, arm, wrist, and hand injuries Triangular bandages can also be folded into cravats, which is a long strip of bandage folded to the proper width according to the injury. Triangular Bandages As its name suggests, the triangular bandage is a triangular shape of cloth. It is often used for head and scalp injuries. They are also used to create slings for shoulder, arm, wrist, and hand injuries. Triangular bandages can also be folded into cravats, which is a long strip of bandage folded to the proper width according to the injury. The cravat can also be used on head injuries including injuries to eyes and ears. Cravats can also be used to create circular bandages around the limbs and torso. A cravat bandage should never be used around the neck because it could close the patient’s airway.

Lesson 4– Splints Rigid device that supports and immobilizes Can be created using anything that will support the injured area. Do not apply a splint if professional medical help is on the way. Splints A splint is a rigid device that supports and immobilizes an injured body part. Splints are used to secure suspected bone or joint injuries to legs, forearms, fingers, and toes. Splints can be used alone or in combination with bandages and slings. Commercial splints work best. However, if none are available, a splint can be created using anything that will support the injured area. Some examples of materials that can be used to improvise a splint include heavy cardboard, bubble wrap, folded newspapers or magazines, and blankets or towels. Because you should limit moving an injured body part, do not apply a splint if professional medical help is on the way. In this case, keep the patient still until professional help arrives.

Lesson 4- Splints Vacuum splints Styrofoam chips contained inside an airtight cloth, pliable sleeve Molds to shape of injury using a handheld pump to draw out the air from within the sleeve Air splints Extremity splinting Provides clear view of injury during x-ray Orally inflatable, becomes ridged when filled

Lesson 4- Splints Traction Splint Sam Splint Rigid Splint Used to immobilize femur fractures. Training required to be able to apply safely Sam Splint Aluminum splint can be unrolled folded into curves to become rigid. Great for forearms, wrist, and lower leg Rigid Splint Splint made from any durable resource. Works best with forearm, wrist, and lower leg

Lesson 4- Splints Soft Splint Anatomical Splint Splints made of blankets, pillows, jackets. Secure splint above and below injury with bandages Anatomical Splint Made by using another body part as the splint. Ex. Buddy taping one finger to the next.

Lesson 4- Splinting Purpose Reduce pain Reduce bleeding and swelling Prevent further soft tissue damage Prevent vascular constriction What to splint Fracture Dislocation Tendon rupture Two vital principles Splint from one joint above the fracture to one joint below the fracture Splint the injury in the position it is found

Splinting

Lesson 4– Slings Keeps hand, forearm, arm, or shoulder immobilized In combination with a cast or used in place of a cast or splint Can be created using a triangular bandage. Slings A sling is a device used to keep an injured hand, forearm, arm, or shoulder immobilized. Slings can be used in combination with a cast or used in place of a cast or splint until one can be applied. Commercial slings are available. However, a sling can be created using a triangular bandage. If a commercial sling or a triangular bandage is not available, a belt, handkerchief, or scarf can also be used.

Lesson 4- Sling and Swathe Combination of cervical and shoulder arm slings Provides support for the upper extremity Used in instances of Shoulder dislocations Upper extremity fractures

Lesson 4- Shoulder Arm Sling Utilized following injury to the shoulder girdle Provides support for the forearm May be used if the cervical arm sling is causing irritation

Lesson 4- Cervical Arm Sling Provides support for forearm, wrist, and hand injuries Bandage placed around neck and under bent arm to be supported