This document discusses wound dressings. It defines a dressing as a sterile pad or compress directly applied over a wound to promote healing. Dressings protect wounds, control bleeding, apply medication, absorb moisture, prevent infection and further injury, and promote healing. The document describes two types of dressings - adhesive and non-adhesive. It provides instructions for applying each type, including washing hands, cleaning wounds, placing the dressing over the wound, and securing it in position to promote wound healing.

1. Sharon Treesa Antony
Assistant Professor
Govt. College of Nursing
Kottayam

2.  A dressing is a sterile pad, compress that is
applied directly over a wound to promote
healing.

3.  To protect the wound
 To control/ stop bleeding
 To apply medication
 To absorb excess moisture / discharges from
the wound
 To prevent infection
 To prevent further injury
 To promote healing
 Provide comfort

4.  If the situation permits, wash hands with
soap and water
 Wear gloves if available
 Control bleeding before applying dressing
 Apply the sterile pad without touching the
part that comes in contact with the wound

5.  Avoid touching the wound, coughing /
sneezing into the wound
 Use dressing that is large enough to cover the
whole area of the wound.
 In case of bleeding, more pads may be added
on top of the previous pads and apply
adhesive tape with pressure
 Bandage may be necessary to hold it in
position

6.  Adhesive dressing
 Non adhesive dressing

7.  A sterile pad of absorbent gauze / cellulose
is held in place by a layer of adhesive
material.

8.  Wash hands and wear gloves if possible
 In case of contaminated wounds, clean with
antiseptic solution
 If antiseptic solution is unavailable, wash the
wound with soap and water
 Dry the sides of the wound with gauze piece
 Remove the adhesive dressing from its outer
wrapping and hold it with the gauze side
down

9.  Peel back and expose the gauze
 Place it in such a way that the pad comes
directly over the wound. Do not touch the
gauze pad
 Pull away the protective strips with care
 Press the edges and ends well to fix it on to
the skin.

10.  This type of dressing does not contain an
adhesive material with it to fix the dressing.
 It includes sterile readymade dressing or
gauze dressing.
 The dressing material has to be held in place
by using a bandage or an improvises material
like scarf or towel.

11.  Wash hands and wear gloves if possible
 In case of contaminated wounds, clean with
antiseptic solution
 If antiseptic solution is unavailable, wash the
wound with soap and water
 Dry the sides of the wound
 Open the dressing by removing the
wrappings
 Place the dressing directly over the wound

12.  Bandage firmly using triangular bandage and
secure it by tying the two ends together by
reef knot.
 Gauze taken in layers may be used instead of
dressing
 A piece of cloth cut in the shape of bandage
may be used instead of bandage
 Plastic bag may be used instead of gloves
 Wash hands with soap and water after
dressing

13. THANK YOU