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