Chapter 10
Bandaging Wounds
Dressings (1 of 2)
• A dressing covers an open wound and
touches the wound.
• Whenever possible, a dressing should be:
• Sterile
• Larger than the wound
• Thick, soft, and compressible
• Lint free
Dressings (2 of 2)
• Purpose of using a dressing:
• Control bleeding
• Prevent infection and contamination
• Absorb blood and wound drainage
• Protect wound from further injury
Applying a Sterile Dressing
• Wash your hands and wear
medical exam gloves.
• Use a dressing large enough to
extend over the wound.
• Cover the dressing with a
bandage.
Bandages (1 of 2)
• Should be clean but need not be sterile
• Can be used to:
• Hold a dressing in place.
• Apply pressure over a dressing.
• Prevent or reduce swelling.
• Provide support and stability for an
extremity or joint.
Bandages (2 of 2)
• Signs that a bandage may be too tight:
• Blue tinge on fingernails or toenails
• Blue or pale skin color
• Coldness of extremity
• Inability to move fingers or toes
Types of Bandages
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Roller bandages
Self-adhering, conforming bandages
Gauze rollers
Elastic roller bandages
Triangular bandages
Adhesive tape
Adhesive strips
Applying a Cravat Bandage (1
of 3)
• To the head:
• Place middle of bandage over the
dressing and wrap around the body part.
• Cross the two ends snugly over each
other.
• Bring ends back around to where
dressing is and tie ends in knot.
Applying a Cravat Bandage (2
of 3)
• To the arm or leg:
• Wrap center of bandage over the
dressing.
• With one end, make one turn going up
the extremity and another turn going
down.
• Tie bandage off over the dressing.
Applying a Cravat Bandage (3 of 3)
• To the palm of the hand:
• Fill palm with bulky dressing or pad and
close fingers.
• Wrap bandage, crossing over the fingers
and around the wrist.
• Tie the bandage off at the wrist.
Applying a Roller Bandage (1 of 2)
• Spiral method:
• Make two straight anchoring
turns with the bandage.
• Wrap with criss-cross
(figure-eight turns).
• Finish with two straight
turns and secure the
bandage.
Applying a Roller Bandage (2 of 2)
• Figure-of-Eight method:
• Anchor bandage with one or
two turns.
• Continue alternating the turns
in figure-of-eight maneuver
until body part is secured.
Securing Bandages (1 of 2)
• Loop method:
• Reverse direction of bandage
by looping it around a thumb or
finger.
• Continue back to the opposite
side of the body part.
• Encircle part with the looped
end and the free end.
• Tie ends together.
Securing Bandages (2 of 2)
• Split-tail method:
• Split end of bandage
lengthwise for about 12
inches.
• Tie in a knot to prevent
further splitting.
• Pass ends in opposite
directions around body
part and tie.