PSG COLLEGE OF NURSING

COIMBATORE- 04

NAME : Miss. Meena. R

YEAR OF STUDY : I Year B.Sc. Nursing

SUBJECT : Nursing Foundation

SUBMITTED DATE : 07. 05. 2020

MARKS AWARDED :

STUDENTS SIGNATURE WITH DATE :

FACULTY SIGNATURE WITH DATE :

 BANDAGES
INTRODUCTION:

A bandage is a piece of material used either to support a medical device such as a dressing or
splint, or on its own to provide support toot to restrict the movement of part of the body. When
used with a dressing, the dressing is applied directly on a wound, and a bandage used to hold the
dressing in place. Other bandages are used without dressings, such as elastic bandages that are
used to reduce swelling or provide support to a sprained ankle. Tight bandages can be used to
slow blood flow to an extremity, such as when a leg or arm is bleeding heavily.

Bandages are available in a wide range of types from genetic cloth strips to specialized
shaped bandages designed for a specific limb or part of the body. Bandages can often be
improvised as the situation demands, using clothing, blankets or other material. In American
English, the word bandages is often used to indicate a small gauze dressing attached to an
adhesive bandages.

DEFINITIONS:

Bandaging is the process of covering a wound or an injured part.

BANDAGES:

A simple gauze dressing is often not enough to immobilize or provide support to a wound.
Binders and bandages applied over or around dressings provide extra protection and therapeutic
benefits.

Bandages are available in rolls of various widths and materials, including gauze, elasticized
knit, elastic webbing, flannel and muslin. Gauze bandages are lightweight and inexpensive,
mold easily around contours of the body, and permit air circulation to prevent skin maceration.
Elastic bandages conform well to body parts but are also for exerting pressure.

Binders are bandages that are made of large pieces of material to fit a specific body part.
Most binders are made of elastic or cotton. An abdominal binder and a breast binder are
examples.

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FORMS OF BANDAGES:

TYPES OF
BANDAGES

Gauze
Adhesive Liquid bandages(com Compression Triangular
Tube bandage
bandage bandage mon gauze bandage bandage
roller bandages

Short stretch Long stretch

compression ciompression
bandages bandages
T
YPES OF BANDAGES:

MONTGOMERY STRIPS MANY TAILED BANDAGE

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TRIANGULAR BANDAGE

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PURPOSES OF BANDAGE:

 Control bleeding and edema

 Prevent infection and contamination
 Absorbs blood and fluid drainage
 Protect the wound from further injury
 Hold a dressing in place
 Apply direct pressure over a dressing
 Prevent or reduce swelling
 Provide stability for an extremity
 Extend (e.g. broken bones)
 To keep areas clean and medications in place
 To prevent self-mutilation

PRINCIPLES FOR APPLYING BANDAGES:

 Inspecting the skin for abrasions, edema, discoloration, or exposed wound edges.
 Covering exposed wounds or open abrasions with a sterile dressing
 Assessing the condition of underlying dressings and changing if soiled
 Assessing the skin underlying areas that will be distal to the bandages for signs for
circulatory impairment to provide a means for comparing changes in circulation after
bandage application
 Wrap each layer in the same direction, and overlap each layer by about one third to
half width each round. This gives the bandage more stability.
 Uneven pressure can cause rubbing under the bandage. Always follow the normal
structures of the limb, and make sure the thickness of your bandage does not vary.
 Never finish a bandage midway between joints, as this may cause pressure on the
underlying tissues.

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  Make sure your horse doesn’t move around too much when the bandage is, because
it can slip and cause pressure.
 A slipping bandage disrupts the cells trying to heal across the wound
 If you’re not sure about your bandage, don’t hesitate to ask for advice

SOME IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES TO BE CONSIDERED IN APPLYING BANDAGES:

1. Choose a neatly rolled bandage of correct width and length

Finger : 1 inch
Head and arm : 2 to 2 ½ inches
Leg : 3 to 3 ½ inches
Trunk : 4 to 6 inches
2. Clean and dry the part that is to be bandaged
3. Except while arresting hemorrhage or correcting deformity, foremost consideration is
given for the comfort of the patient.
4. Face the patient except when applying a cape line bandage
5. See that the patient is placed in a comfortable position with the part properly supported
6. Hold the head of the bandage in right hand, when bandaging the left limb and vice versa.
7. When bandaging extremities apply bandages first at distal end progress towards trunk.
Gradual application of pressure from distal towards proximal portion of extremity
promotes venous return and minimizes risk of edema or circulatory impairment.
8. Apply the outer side of the free end to the part to be bandaged and fix it in a position by
circular turn.
9. Bandage from below upwards, from within outwards, over the fron of the limb
10. When applying a bandage over a wet dressing, no tension is applied as it will shrink and
become tight
11. Do not use extra turns in order to use all the bandages. Neatness and economy of the
bandage should be considered but the bandage should fulfill its purpose and always must
cover the dressing completely
12. Pins, knots, or ties are placed away from the wound or tender skin areas because these
materials can exert localized pressure and irritation

NURSE’S RESPONSIBILITY IN THE WOUND DRESSING

Preliminary Assessment

1. Check the diagnosis and the general condition of the patient

2. Check the purpose for which the dressing is to be done
3. Check the condition of the wound – the type of the wound, the types of suturing applied,
the types of dressings to be applied etc.

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4. Check the physician’s orders for the type of dressing to be applied and the specific
instructions, if any, regarding the cleaning solutions, removal of sutures, drains and the
application of medications etc.
5. Check the patient’s name, bed number and other identifications
6. Check the abilities and limitations of the patient
7. Check the consciousness of the patient and the ability to follow instructions
8. Check the articles available in the unit

THANK YOU