Chapter 10Bandaging Wounds

Dressings

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

• Dressings should be:– Sterile– Larger than the wound– Thick, soft, and compressible– Lint free

Dressings

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

Types of Dressings

• Gauze pads− For small wounds

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Types of Dressings

• Adhesive bandages− Small cuts and abrasions

• Trauma dressings− Large, thick, absorbent

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Improvised Dressings

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

Applying a Sterile Dressing

• Wash hands and wear exam gloves.• Use dressing large enough to extend

beyond edges of wound.• Hold dressing by one corner and place

over wound.• Cover with bandage.

Bandages

• 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

• Signs that a bandage may be too tight:– Blue tinge on fingernails or toenails– Blue or pale skin color– Tingling, loss of sensation– Coldness of extremity– Inability to move fingers or toes– Pulse felt before bandaging, but not after

Types of Bandages

• Roller bandages– Various widths,

lengths, and types of material

• Self-adhering, conforming bandages– Elastic, gauzelike © American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Types of Bandages

• Gauze rollers– Nonelastic cotton

• Elastic roller bandages– Provide compression

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Types of Bandages

• Triangular bandages– Slings– Cravats

• Adhesive tape and bandages

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Applying a Cravat Bandage to the Head

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

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Applying a Cravat Bandage to the Head

• Cross the two ends snugly.• Bring ends back around and tie knot.

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. © American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Applying a Cravat Bandage to the Arm or Leg

• Wrap center of bandage over the dressing.

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Applying a Cravat Bandage to the Arm or Leg

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

• Tie bandage off over dressing.

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. © American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Applying a Cravat Bandage to Palm of Hand

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

• Wrap one end around fingers, other around wrist.

© Jones & Bartlett Learning. © Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Applying a Cravat Bandage to Palm of Hand

• Wrap bandage, crossing over fingers and around wrist.

• Tie bandage off at the wrist.

© Jones & Bartlett Learning. © Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Applying a Roller Bandage: Spiral Method

• Start at narrow part of an arm or a leg and wrap upward.

• Make two straight, anchoring turns.

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Applying a Roller Bandage: Spiral Method

• Make overlapping crisscross turns.• Finish with two straight turns and secure.

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. © American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Applying a Roller Bandage:Figure-Eight Method

• For elbow or knee:– Make two straight turns over joint.– Make one turn above joint; overlap first turn.

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. © American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Applying a Roller Bandage:Figure-Eight Method

• For elbow or knee (cont’d)– Make one turn below joint; overlap first

straight turn.– Continue alternating turns.

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Applying a Roller Bandage:Figure-Eight Method

• For elbow or knee (cont’d):– Finish with two straight turns to secure end.

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Applying a Roller Bandage:Figure-Eight Method

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

hand, around wrist, and back across palm.

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. © American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Applying a Roller Bandage:Figure-Eight Method

• For hand (cont’d):– Make several

figure-eight turns, overlapping each.

– Finish with two straight turns around wrist; secure end. © American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Applying a Roller Bandage:Figure-Eight Method

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

around ankle, and under arch.

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Applying a Roller Bandage:Figure-Eight Method

• 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.

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Securing a Roller Bandage

• Adhesive tape• Safety pins• Clips provided with

bandage

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Loop Method of Securing Bandages

• Loop tape around thumb or finger and work backward.

• Encircle body part with the looped and free ends and tie together.

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Split-Tail Method of Securing Bandages

• Split end of bandage lengthwise.– Knot to prevent further

splitting.• Wrap ends in opposite

directions around body part and tie together.

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Applying an Adhesive Bandage

• 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.

© American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.