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 (figureeight 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.