Dressings and Bandages

DR. EYAD ABOU ASALI

Goal:
To educate healthcare professionals on effective
wound care protocols, in order to ensure optimal
care for our terminally ill patients.

External Bleeding :
Three types
Capillary (oozing)
Venous (flowing)
Arterial (spurting)

Care for External Bleeding

Wear gloves.
Expose wound.
Cover with clean cloth or gauze.
Apply direct pressure.
Elevate the area.

 DO NOT remove blood-soaked dressings.

Apply a pressure bandage.
Apply pressure at a pressure point if needed.

Wound Care

Wash with soap and water.

Flush with water.
Remove small objects.
Apply direct pressure.
Apply antibiotic ointment.
Cover wound.

Seek medical care.

Wound Infection:
Signs of Infection

Swelling
Reddening
Warmth
Throbbing
Pus discharge
Seek medical care for infected wounds.
Tetanus booster shot every 5 to10 years

Wounds That Require Medical Attention

Arterial bleeding
Uncontrolled bleeding
Deep wounds
Large or deeply embedded
objects
Foreign matter in wound
Human or animal bite

Possibility of noticeable scar

Cut eyelid
Slit lip
Internal bleeding
Uncertain how to treat
Need a tetanus shot

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

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

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

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

Head Bandages

Four-tailed Bandage.

Barton Bandage.

Triangular Bandage.

Sweatband.

Old-fashioned Toothache.

Head Tubular Bandage Retainer.

Head Bandages Four Tailed Bandage

A piece of roller bandage.

It is good for bandaging any

protruding part of the body.

It is created by splitting the cloth

from each end.

It is used to hold a compress on

the chin.

Head Bandages - Barton Bandage

For fractures of the lower jaw.

To retain compresses to the chin.

Initial end of the roller is applied

just behind the right mastoid

process.

Head Bandages - Triangular Bandage

To retain compresses on the forehead or scalp.

Place the middle of the base on the forehead, just

above the eyebrows.

Head Bandages - Triangular Bandage

Head Bandages - Sweatband

If a wound only affects the

forehead

Use a square of sterile

gauze pad over the wound.

Circle the head at least

three times.

Head Bandages Old Fashioned Toothache

For Ears and cheeks

Wrap the two ends in the

opposite direction.

Head Bandages Head Tubular Bandage Retainer

Tubular elastic stretch net

applying gentle pressure to

keep bandages

Ideal for securing burn or

post-op dressings

Allows maximum air-flow.

Elastic Bandages
Gauze, cotton cloth, or elastic wrapping
Length and width vary and are used according to body
part and size.
Should be stored rolled
Should be free from wrinkles, seams, and imperfections
that could cause irritation.

Elastic bandages may be used to

provide support for a variety
scenarios:
Ankle and foot spica
Spiral bandage
(spica)
Shoulder spica
Elbow

Triangle Bandages
First aid device
Application is easy and fast
Primarily used for slings
Cervical arm sling
Shoulder arm sling
Sling and swathe

Triangle Bandages - Cervical Arm

Sling
Provides support for forearm, wrist,
and hand injuries.

Triangle Bandages - Shoulder Arm

Sling
Provides support for the
forearm
May be used if the cervical
arm sling is causing
irritation

Triangle Bandages - 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

Non-Elastic White Tape

Great adaptability due to:
Adhesive mass
Adhering qualities
Lightness
Relative strength

Utilized to(
Hold dressings in place
Provide support to a joint
Protect injured areas