2. 2
10.1 Dressings10.1 Dressings
RequirementsRequirements::
SterileSterile, meaning that any microorganisms and, meaning that any microorganisms and
spores on the dressing have been killedspores on the dressing have been killed
AsepticAseptic, meaning that it is free of bacteria, meaning that it is free of bacteria
Held in place with a bandage tightly enough toHeld in place with a bandage tightly enough to
control bleeding but not so tightly that it stops bloodcontrol bleeding but not so tightly that it stops blood
circulationcirculation
Soft, thick, and compressible so that it providesSoft, thick, and compressible so that it provides
even pressure over the entire surface of theeven pressure over the entire surface of the
wound.wound.
3. 3
Types of dressingsTypes of dressings
Occlusive –Occlusive – plastic wrap or other dressing that formsplastic wrap or other dressing that forms
an airtight sealan airtight seal
Compress –Compress – a thick, bulky, usually sterile dressinga thick, bulky, usually sterile dressing
intended to stop or control bleedingintended to stop or control bleeding
Trauma –Trauma – a 5-by-36 inch piece of thick, sterile,a 5-by-36 inch piece of thick, sterile,
absorbent dressing that can be used to cover a largerabsorbent dressing that can be used to cover a larger
area in cases of more serious or widespread injuryarea in cases of more serious or widespread injury
Adhesive strips –Adhesive strips – a combination of a sterile dressinga combination of a sterile dressing
and a bandage, individually packaged and used forand a bandage, individually packaged and used for
small woundssmall wounds
Adhesive tape –Adhesive tape – often used to hold theoften used to hold the
edges of wounds together, it comes in rolls ofedges of wounds together, it comes in rolls of
various widths.various widths.
4. 4
PROGRESS CHECKPROGRESS CHECK
1. A sterile dressing is one on which there are no__________.1. A sterile dressing is one on which there are no__________.
(bacteria/microorganisms/viruses)(bacteria/microorganisms/viruses)
2. An aseptic dressing is free of ____________.2. An aseptic dressing is free of ____________.
(bacteria/microorganisms/viruses)(bacteria/microorganisms/viruses)
3. Use petroleum gauze when you don’t want the dressing to3. Use petroleum gauze when you don’t want the dressing to
____________.____________. (get wet/shred/stick to the wound)(get wet/shred/stick to the wound)
4. An occlusive dressing is ____________.4. An occlusive dressing is ____________. (dry/moist/airtight)(dry/moist/airtight)
5. A compress dressing is used to ____________.5. A compress dressing is used to ____________.
(control bleeding/prevent infection/absorb fluids oozing(control bleeding/prevent infection/absorb fluids oozing
from the wound)from the wound)
6. A 9-x-36-inch piece of thick, absorbent material is6. A 9-x-36-inch piece of thick, absorbent material is
called a ____________ dressing.called a ____________ dressing.
(occlusive/universal/compress)(occlusive/universal/compress)
5. 5
10.2 Bandages10.2 Bandages
Holds a dressing in place over a woundHolds a dressing in place over a wound
Creates pressure that controls bleedingCreates pressure that controls bleeding
Helps keep the edges of the wound closedHelps keep the edges of the wound closed
Secures a splint to an injured part of theSecures a splint to an injured part of the
bodybody
Provides support for an injured part of theProvides support for an injured part of the
bodybody
6. 6
Bandage is too tight if:Bandage is too tight if:
The skin around the bandage becomes pale or bluish inThe skin around the bandage becomes pale or bluish in
color (cyanotic).color (cyanotic).
There is a bluish tinge to the nearest fingernails or toenails.There is a bluish tinge to the nearest fingernails or toenails.
The victim complains of pain, usually only a few minutesThe victim complains of pain, usually only a few minutes
after you apply the bandage.after you apply the bandage.
The skin beyond the bandage (distal) is cold.The skin beyond the bandage (distal) is cold.
The skin beyond the bandage (distal) is tingling or numb.The skin beyond the bandage (distal) is tingling or numb.
You cannot feel the pulse beyond the bandage (distal), or itYou cannot feel the pulse beyond the bandage (distal), or it
is very weak.is very weak.
Capillary refill is absent or diminished in the fingernails orCapillary refill is absent or diminished in the fingernails or
toenails beyond the bandage (when you press on the nail,toenails beyond the bandage (when you press on the nail,
the nailbed does not immediately turn pink again)the nailbed does not immediately turn pink again)
The victim cannot move his or her fingers or toes.The victim cannot move his or her fingers or toes.
7. 7
BandagesBandages
Triangular BandagesTriangular Bandages
Support fractures and dislocationsSupport fractures and dislocations
Apply splintsApply splints
Form slingsForm slings
Make improvised tourniquetsMake improvised tourniquets
Cravat BandagesCravat Bandages
Roller BandagesRoller Bandages
8. 8
VocabularyVocabulary
OcclusiveOcclusive- Waterproof and airtight- Waterproof and airtight
Gauze pads-Gauze pads- Commercially manufactured,Commercially manufactured,
individually wrapped sterile pads made of gauzeindividually wrapped sterile pads made of gauze
Special pads-Special pads- Large, thickly layered bulky padsLarge, thickly layered bulky pads
used to control bleeding and stabilize impaledused to control bleeding and stabilize impaled
objectsobjects
Bandage-Bandage- Material used to hold a dressing inMaterial used to hold a dressing in
placeplace
Triangular bandage-Triangular bandage- Triangle-shaped piece ofTriangle-shaped piece of
cloth used to apply splints and form slingscloth used to apply splints and form slings
9. 9
PROGRESS CHECKPROGRESS CHECK
1. Bandages are applied on top of a ____________.1. Bandages are applied on top of a ____________.
(wound/dressing/splint)(wound/dressing/splint)
2. A bandage should normally not contact a ____________.2. A bandage should normally not contact a ____________.
(wound/dressing/splint)(wound/dressing/splint)
3. Cold, numb, or tingling skin distal to a bandage indicates the3. Cold, numb, or tingling skin distal to a bandage indicates the
bandage is ____________.bandage is ____________. (too tight/too loose/controllinga(too tight/too loose/controllinga
bleeding)bleeding)
4. A folded triangular bandage is a ____________ bandage.4. A folded triangular bandage is a ____________ bandage.
(roller/compress/cravat)(roller/compress/cravat)
5. The easiest roller bandages to use are ____________.5. The easiest roller bandages to use are ____________.
(gauze/elastic/self-adhering)(gauze/elastic/self-adhering)
6. You should use an elastic roller bandage only in6. You should use an elastic roller bandage only in
cases of ____________.cases of ____________.
(shock/profuse bleeding/fracture)(shock/profuse bleeding/fracture)
10. 10
10.3 Principles of Dressing and10.3 Principles of Dressing and
BandagingBandaging
The dressing is opened carefully and handled so it does not getThe dressing is opened carefully and handled so it does not get
contaminated.contaminated.
The dressing adequately covers the entire wound.The dressing adequately covers the entire wound.
Bandages are not placed directly against the wound.Bandages are not placed directly against the wound.
Wounds are bandaged snugly, but not too tightly.Wounds are bandaged snugly, but not too tightly.
Bandages are not too loose; neither the dressing nor the bandage shouldBandages are not too loose; neither the dressing nor the bandage should
shift or slip.shift or slip.
There are no loose ends of cloth, gauze, or tape that could get caught.There are no loose ends of cloth, gauze, or tape that could get caught.
The bandage covers all edges of the dressing.The bandage covers all edges of the dressing.
Tips of the fingers and toes are left exposed when arms and legs areTips of the fingers and toes are left exposed when arms and legs are
bandaged.bandaged.
A small bandage on an arm or leg is covered with a larger bandage to moreA small bandage on an arm or leg is covered with a larger bandage to more
evenly distribute the pressure and to avoid causing a pressure point.evenly distribute the pressure and to avoid causing a pressure point.
Start a bandage on an arm or leg at the end nearest the hand or foot,Start a bandage on an arm or leg at the end nearest the hand or foot,
then work upward to prevent applying the bandage too tightly.then work upward to prevent applying the bandage too tightly.
The body part is bandaged in the position in which it is to remain.The body part is bandaged in the position in which it is to remain.
Ask the victim how the bandage feels.Ask the victim how the bandage feels.
Never use a circular bandage around the neck.Never use a circular bandage around the neck.
11. 11
VocabularyVocabulary
CravatCravat- A folded triangular bandage- A folded triangular bandage
Roller bandage-Roller bandage- A form-fitting bandageA form-fitting bandage
designed to be wrapped around a wound sitedesigned to be wrapped around a wound site
12. 12
Applying Special Dressings and BandagesApplying Special Dressings and Bandages
1. Cover the wound with a bulky, sterile dressing.1. Cover the wound with a bulky, sterile dressing.
2. Apply direct pressure with your hand over the2. Apply direct pressure with your hand over the
dressing until bleeding stops.dressing until bleeding stops.
3. Apply a firm roller bandage (preferably self-3. Apply a firm roller bandage (preferably self-
adhering) and monitor continuously for signs thatadhering) and monitor continuously for signs that
the bandage is too tight.the bandage is too tight.
4. If blood soaks through the original dressing and4. If blood soaks through the original dressing and
bandage, do not remove them.bandage, do not remove them.
13. 13
SlingsSlings
1. Place one end of the base of an open triangular bandage over the1. Place one end of the base of an open triangular bandage over the
shoulder of the uninjured side.shoulder of the uninjured side.
2. Allow the bandage to hang down in front of the chest so its apex2. Allow the bandage to hang down in front of the chest so its apex
will be behind the elbow of the injured arm.will be behind the elbow of the injured arm.
3. Bend the arm at the elbow with the hand slightly elevated (four to3. Bend the arm at the elbow with the hand slightly elevated (four to
five inches). When possible, the fingertips should be exposed sofive inches). When possible, the fingertips should be exposed so
you can monitor for impaired circulation.you can monitor for impaired circulation.
4. Bring the forearm across the chest and over the bandage.4. Bring the forearm across the chest and over the bandage.
5. Carry the lower end of the bandage over the shoulder of the5. Carry the lower end of the bandage over the shoulder of the
injured side, and tie a square knot at the uninjured side of theinjured side, and tie a square knot at the uninjured side of the
neck; make sure the knot is at theneck; make sure the knot is at the sideside of the neck.of the neck.
6. Twist the apex of the bandage and tuck it in or pin it at the elbow.6. Twist the apex of the bandage and tuck it in or pin it at the elbow.
15. 15
PROGRESS CHECKPROGRESS CHECK
1.1. Material used for dressings should be as ____________ as possible.Material used for dressings should be as ____________ as possible.
(strong/thick/clean)(strong/thick/clean)
2.2. Generally, the only dressing you should bandage in place while a woundGenerally, the only dressing you should bandage in place while a wound
is still bleeding is a ____________ dressing.is still bleeding is a ____________ dressing.
compress/universal/pressure)compress/universal/pressure)
3.3. If blood soaks through the original dressing, you should ____________.If blood soaks through the original dressing, you should ____________.
(remove it/replace it with a new dressing/leave it in place(remove it/replace it with a new dressing/leave it in place
and put a new dressing on top of it)and put a new dressing on top of it)
4.4. Make sure the bandage covers the entire ____________.Make sure the bandage covers the entire ____________.
(wound/dressing/extremity)(wound/dressing/extremity)
5.5. All loose ends of the bandage should be ____________.All loose ends of the bandage should be ____________.
(tucked in/tied/cut off)(tucked in/tied/cut off)
6.6. If you bandage across a joint, bandage it in ____________.If you bandage across a joint, bandage it in ____________.
(a straightened position/a bent position/the position in(a straightened position/a bent position/the position in
which it is to remain)which it is to remain)
