Bandaging wounds involves using dressings and bandages. Dressings cover wounds and should be sterile, larger than the wound, thick and soft. Their purpose is to control bleeding, prevent infection, absorb drainage and protect the wound. Common dressings include gauze pads, adhesive strips and trauma dressings. Bandages hold dressings in place, apply pressure and provide support. Roller bandages, gauze rolls, triangular bandages and adhesive tape are common types. Bandages are applied using methods like spiral, figure-eight and cravat wraps depending on the body part. Ends are secured using techniques like looping, splitting or adhesive tape.

1. Chapter 10
Bandaging Wounds

2. 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

3. Dressings (2 of 2)
• Purpose of a dressing:
• Control bleeding
• Prevent infection and contamination
• Absorb blood and drainage
• Protect wound

4. Types of Dressings (1 of 2)
• Gauze pads
• For small wounds

5. Types of Dressings (2 of 2)
• Adhesive strips
• Small cuts and
abrasions
• Trauma dressings
• Large, thick, absorbent

6. Improvised Dressings
• Should be:
• Clean
• Absorbent
• Soft
• As free of lint as possible

7. Applying a Sterile Dressing
• Wash hands and wear exam
gloves.
• Hold dressing by one corner and
place over wound.
• Do not slide over wound.
• Do not touch dressing.
• Cover with bandage.

8. Bandages (1 of 2)
• Should be clean but need not be sterile
• Can be used to:
• Hold a dressing in place
• Apply direct pressure
• Prevent or reduce swelling
• Provide support and stability for an
extremity or joint

9. Bandages (2 of 2)
• Signs that a bandage may be too tight:
• Blue tinge on fingernails or toenails
• Blue or pale skin color
• Tingling, loss of sensation
• Coldness
• Inability to move fingers or toes
• Inability to feel a pulse that could previously
be felt

10. Types of Bandages (1 of 3)
• Roller bandages
• Various widths,
lengths, and types
of material
• Self-adhering,
conforming
bandages
• Elastic, gauzelike

11. Types of Bandages (2 of 3)
• Gauze rollers
• Nonelastic cotton
• Elastic roller
bandages
• Provide
compression

12. Types of Bandages (3 of 3)
• Triangular
bandages
• Slings
• Cravats
• Adhesive tape and
strips

13. Applying a Cravat Bandage
to the Head (1 of 2)
• Place middle of
bandage over the
dressing and wrap
around the head.

14. Applying a Cravat Bandage
to the Head (2 of 2)
• Cross the two
ends snugly.
• Bring ends back
around and tie
knot.

15. Applying a Cravat Bandage
to the Arm or Leg (1 of 2)
• Wrap center of
bandage over the
dressing.

16. Applying a Cravat Bandage
to the Arm or Leg (2 of 2)
• Turn one end going
up the extremity
and the other end
going down.
• Tie bandage over
dressing.

17. Applying a Cravat Bandage
to Palm of Hand (1 of 2)
• Fill palm with bulky
dressing or pad,
and close fingers.
• Wrap one end
around fingers,
other around wrist.

18. Applying a Cravat Bandage
to Palm of Hand (2 of 2)
• Wrap bandage,
crossing over
fingers and around
wrist.
• Tie bandage at the
wrist.

19. Applying a Roller Bandage
Spiral Method (1 of 2)
• Make two
straight,
anchoring
turns.

20. Applying a Roller Bandage
Spiral Method (2 of 2)
• Make overlapping
crisscross turns.
• Finish with two
straight turns and
secure.

21. Applying a Roller Bandage
Figure-Eight Method (1 of 7)
• For elbow or knee:
• Make two straight turns
over joint.
• Make one turn above joint,
overlapping the first turn.

22. Applying a Roller Bandage
Figure-Eight Method (2 of 7)
• For elbow or knee (cont’d):
• Make one turn below joint,
overlapping first straight turn.
• Continue alternating turns.

23. Applying a Roller Bandage
Figure-Eight Method (3 of 7)
• For elbow or knee
(cont’d):
• Finish with two
straight turns to
secure end.

24. Applying a Roller Bandage
Figure-Eight Method (4 of 7)
• For hand:
• Make two straight turns around palm.
• Carry bandage diagonally across back of
hand, around wrist, and back across palm.

25. Applying a Roller Bandage
Figure-Eight Method (5 of 7)
• For hand (cont’d):
• Make several
figure-eight turns,
overlapping each.
• Finish with two
straight turns
around wrist;
secure end.

26. Applying a Roller Bandage
Figure-Eight Method (6 of 7)
• For ankle:
• Make two straight turns around instep.
• Make figure-eight turn across front of foot,
around ankle, and under arch.

27. Applying a Roller Bandage
Figure-Eight Method (7 of 7)
• For ankle (cont’d):
• Make several
figure-eight turns,
overlapping each
turn and advancing
up the leg.
• Finish with two
straight turns
around leg; secure
end.

28. Securing Bandages (1 of 5)
• Adhesive tape
• Safety pins
• Clips provided
with bandage

29. Securing Bandages (2 of 5)
• Loop method:
• Reverse direction
of tape by
looping around
thumb or finger
and work
backward.

30. Securing Bandages (3 of 5)
• Loop method
(cont’d):
• Encircle body part
with the looped and
free ends and tie
ends together.

31. Securing Bandages (4 of 5)
• Split-tail
method:
• Split end of
bandage
lengthwise.
• Knot to prevent
further
splitting.

32. Securing Bandages (5 of 5)
• Split-tail method
(cont’d):
• Pass ends in
opposite directions
around body part
and tie.

33. Applying an Adhesive Strip
• Remove wrapping, and
hold by protective
strips.
• Peel back protective
strips, and place on
wound.
• Pull away protective
strips, and press ends
and edges down.