Dressings and Bandages

Dressings
Dressings
Sterile covering placed over wound or
injured part
Used to control bleeding, absorb blood
and secretions, prevent infection and ease
pain
Dressings are held in place with tape or a
bandage

Dressings
Types of materials
Gauze pads in a variety of sizes
Compresses with thick absorbent material
Avoid fluff cotton because loose cotton fibers
may contaminate the wound
Handkerchief or pillowcase may be used in
emergency

Bandages
Bandages
Materials used to hold dressings in place,
to secure splints and to support and
protect body parts
Apply snugly enough to control bleeding
and prevent movement of dressing, but
not so tightly that they interfere with
circulation

Bandages
Types of materials
Roller gauze bandages
Come in variety of widths
Common ones are 1-, 2-, and 3-inch widths
Used to hold dressings in place on almost any part
of the body

Bandages
Triangular bandages
Used to secure dressings on head/scalp or as a
sling
At times used as covering for large body part such
as hand, foot or shoulder

Elastic bandages
Readily conform or mold to injured part
Can be hazardous if applied too tightly or stretched
during application because they can cut off or
constrict circulation
Used to provide support or stimulate circulation

Applying Dressings
Applying dressings
Obtain correct size: should be large
enough to extend at least 1 inch beyond
edges of wound
Prevent infection by avoiding
contamination of dressing
Open package taking care not to touch or
handle sterile dressing with your fingers

Applying Dressings
Pick up dressing with pinching action so
you handle only one side or outside of
dressing
Place dressing on wound with untouched
side against wound
Secure dressing in place with tape or
bandage wrap

Methods of Wrapping Bandages

Methods of wrapping bandages
Several methods are used
Method used depends on body part
involved

Methods of Wrapping Bandages

Circular bandage
Frequently used to hold dressings on body
parts such as arms, legs, chest or abdomen
Triangular bandage folded down to form strip
of bandage or cravat
Strips of cloth or gauze bandage can also be
used
Example pressure bandage

Methods of Wrapping Bandages

Spiral wrap bandage
Used to hold dressings in place on arm or leg or used
to provide support to a limb
Spiral wrap is started at bottom of limb and moves up
in direction of blood flow to the heart
Spiral motion is used to encircle the limb and the
bandage is overlapped about one-half its width on
each turn
At top of limb or stopping point, end with one or two
circular wraps around limb
Secure end with tape, pins or clips

Methods of Wrapping Bandages

Figure eight wrap
Used to hold bandages or provide support to
joints such as ankle or wrist
Elastic bandage is used if support is provided
Anchor bandage on instep of foot
Make one or two circular turns around instep
of foot

Methods of Wrapping Bandages

Form a figure eight
Carry bandage up over foot in diagonal direction
Wrap bandage around back of ankle
Come down over top of the foot
Circle under the instep

Repeat figure eight pattern while moving downward

and backward toward heel with each successive turn
Overlap previous turn by one-half to two-thirds width
of bandage
End by circling ankle with one or two circular turns
Secure in place with tape, clips or pins

Methods of Wrapping Bandages

Recurrent wrap to finger
Used to hold dressing or splint on finger
Fold bandage backward and forward over finger three
to four times to form a recurrent wrap
Start at bottom of finger and use spiral wrap up and
down the finger to hold recurrent wraps in position
Use a figure eight around the wrist to hold bandage in
place
End with one or two circular wraps around the wrist
Tie, tape or pin bandage at the wrist

Checkpoints for Circulation

Checkpoints for circulation
Important to check circulation after bandage
applied to make sure bandage is not too tight
Signs of poor or impaired circulation

Swelling or edema
Pale or cyanotic color
Coldness to touch
Numbness or tingling
Poor or slow return to pink color after nailbeds are
blanched

Loosen bandages immediately if any signs of

impaired circulation are noted