HPR 010 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Adhesive Tape, Cravat
12 Jun 2018
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Chapter 10 – Bandaging Wounds
Dressings
- A dressing covers an open wound and touches the wound
- Dressings should be:
o Sterile
o Larger than the wound
o Thick, soft, and compressible
o Lint free
- Purpose of a dressing
o Control bleeding
o Prevent infection and contamination
o Absorb blood and drainage
o Protect wound
Types of Dressings
- Gauze pads are used for small wounds and have a special coating to keep them from sticking to
the wound
- Adhesive bandages which are a combination of a sterile dressing and a bandage and is used for
small cuts and abrasions
- Trauma dressings which are for large, thick, and absorbent but are usually not sterile
Improvised Dressings
- Should be clean, absorbent, soft, and lint free
- DO NOT use fluffy cotton or cotton balls because cotton fibers can get stuck in the wound and
become difficult to remove
- DO NOT remove a blood-soaked dressing until the bleeding stops. Cover with a new dressing.
- DO NOT pull off a dressing stuck to a wound, soak it off in warm water.
Applying a Sterile Dressing
- Wash hands and wear exam gloves
- Use dressing large enough to extend beyond edges of wound
- Hold dressing by one corner and place over wound. DO NOT slide it on, that can cause pain and
dislodge blood clots.
- Cover with bandage
Bandages
- Should be clean but need not be sterile
- Can be used to
o Hold a dressing in place
o Apply direct pressure
o Prevent or reduce swelling
o Provide support and stability for an extremity or joint
find more resources at oneclass.com
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Document Summary
A dressing covers an open wound and touches the wound. Dressings should be: sterile, larger than the wound, thick, soft, and compressible, lint free. Purpose of a dressing: control bleeding, prevent infection and contamination, absorb blood and drainage, protect wound. Gauze pads are used for small wounds and have a special coating to keep them from sticking to the wound. Adhesive bandages which are a combination of a sterile dressing and a bandage and is used for small cuts and abrasions. Trauma dressings which are for large, thick, and absorbent but are usually not sterile. Should be clean, absorbent, soft, and lint free. Do not use fluffy cotton or cotton balls because cotton fibers can get stuck in the wound and become difficult to remove. Do not remove a blood-soaked dressing until the bleeding stops. Do not pull off a dressing stuck to a wound, soak it off in warm water.
