Bandaging Wounds

1
Chapter 10

• Bandaging Wounds

2
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

3
Dressings (2 of 2)

• Purpose of using a dressing
• Control bleeding
• Prevent infection and contamination
• Absorb blood and wound drainage
• Protect wound from further injury

4
Applying a Sterile Dressing

• Wash your hands and wear medical exam gloves.
• Use a dressing large enough to extend over the
  wound.
• Cover the dressing with a bandage.

5
Bandages (1 of 2)

• Should be clean but need not be sterile
• Can be used to
• Hold a dressing in place.
• Apply pressure over a dressing.
• Prevent or reduce swelling.
• Provide support and stability for an extremity or
  joint.

6
Bandages (2 of 2)

• Signs that a bandage may be too tight
• Blue tinge on fingernails or toenails
• Blue or pale skin color
• Coldness of extremity
• Inability to move fingers or toes

7
Types of Bandages

• Roller bandages
• Self-adhering, conforming bandages
• Gauze rollers
• Elastic roller bandages
• Triangular bandages
• Adhesive tape
• Adhesive strips

8
Applying a Cravat Bandage (1 of 3)

• To the head
• Place middle of bandage over the dressing and
  wrap around the body part.
• Cross the two ends snugly over each other.
• Bring ends back around to where dressing is and
  tie ends in knot.

9
Applying a Cravat Bandage (2 of 3)

• To the arm or leg
• Wrap center of bandage over the dressing.
• With one end, make one turn going up the
  extremity and another turn going down.
• Tie bandage off over the dressing.

10
Applying a Cravat Bandage (3 of 3)

• To the palm of the hand
• Fill palm with bulky dressing or pad and close
  fingers.
• Wrap bandage, crossing over the fingers and
  around the wrist.
• Tie the bandage off at the wrist.

11
Applying a Roller Bandage (1 of 2)

• Spiral method
• Make two straight anchoring turns with the
  bandage.
• Wrap with criss-cross (figure-eight turns).
• Finish with two straight turns and secure the
  bandage.

12
Applying a Roller Bandage (2 of 2)

• Figure-of-Eight method
• Anchor bandage with one or two turns.
• Continue alternating the turns in figure-of-eight
  maneuver until body part is secured.

13
Securing Bandages (1 of 2)

• Loop method
• Reverse direction of bandage by looping it around
  a thumb or finger.
• Continue back to the opposite side of the body
  part.
• Encircle part with the looped end and the free
  end.
• Tie ends together.

14
Securing Bandages (2 of 2)

• Split-tail method
• Split end of bandage lengthwise for about 12
  inches.
• Tie in a knot to prevent further splitting.
• Pass ends in opposite directions around body part
  and tie.