LEVEL I – GRANT



TRINITY VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING

RNSG 1216

PROCEDURE GUIDE AND CHECK-OFF SHEET

APPLYING BANDAGES

A bandage is a strip or roll of cloth wrapped around a body part. Bandages provide therapeutic benefits by securing dressings, creating pressure on the body part, limiting movement, supporting a wound, and reducing or preventing edema.

Delegation: This procedure may be delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel with proper training. The nurse is responsible for the assessment of the bandaged area, before and after the procedure. Note: There may be some times when it is inappropriate to delegate this procedure.

|Procedure |Scientific Rationale |

|1. The following equipment is needed for this skill: | |

|correct type and number of bandages |a. Bandages are available in rolls of various widths and materials, |

| |including gauze, elastic rolls, muslin, and stockingette. Wrong widths |

| |can cause constriction or excessive pressure. Using the correct size wrap |

| |or bandage promotes the appropriate distribution of pressure. |

|pillows if applicable |b. Pillows may be used to support limb and provide comfort. |

| |c. Safety pins, tape or self-closure devices are used to secure bandage in|

|safety pins, tape, self-closure devices. |place. |

|2. Inspect the skin integrity of area where bandage will be |Altered skin integrity contraindicates the use of an elastic bandage. |

|applied. | |

|3. Observe circulation in body parts to be wrapped. Note |Observation of circulation prior to bandage application is important to |

|temperature, skin color, and sensation. |establish a baseline in which to compare after bandage is applied. |

|4. Close room door or curtain and assist patient to assume a |Maintains privacy, comfort and dignity. Proper positioning before |

|comfortable, anatomically correct position. Pillows may be needed |applying bandages maintains alignment and prevents musculoskeletal |

|to support body part. |deformity. |

|5. Expose the wound appropriately while maintaining limb in a |Prepares the wound and limb to facilitate the procedure and prevent |

|functional position. |interruption of the procedure; prevents patient discomfort by avoiding |

|Ensure that the extremity is elevated for 15 to 30 minutes before |repositioning. Proper limb position prevents complications. |

|applying the wrap or bandage. |Elevation promotes venous return and reduces edema. |

|6. Hold roll of elastic bandage in dominant hand and use other |Maintains appropriate and consistent bandage tension. |

|hand to lightly hold beginning of bandage at distal body part. | |

|Continue transferring roll to dominant hand as bandage is wrapped. | |

|7. Apply bandage from distal point toward proximal boundary using |Bandage is applied to conform evenly to body part and promote venous |

|a variety of turns to cover various shapes of body parts. Types of|return. |

|bandage turns include: | |

|a. circular: bandage turn overlapping previous turn completely. | |

|spiral: bandage ascending body part with each turn overlapping |a. Circular turns anchor bandage at the first and final turn. |

|previous one by one-half or two-thirds width of bandage. | |

|spiral reverse: turn requiring twist of bandage halfway through |b. Spiral turns cover cylindrical body parts, such as wrist or upper arm. |

|each turn. | |

|recurrent: bandage is first secured with two circular turns around |c. Spiral reverse turns cover cone- shaped body parts such as the forearm,|

|proximal end of body part; half turn made perpendicular up from |thigh, or calf. |

|bandage edge; body of bandage brought over distal end of body part |d. Recurrent turns cover uneven body parts such as head or stump. |

|to be covered with each turn folded back over on itself. | |

|figure-eight: oblique overlapping turns alternately ascending and | |

|descending over bandaged part; each turn crossing previous one to | |

|form figure eight. | |

| |e. Figure-eight turns cover joints and provide mobilization. |

|8. Continue to unroll and very slightly stretch bandage while |Provides even bandage tension and prevents circulatory impairment. |

|completing turns. | |

|9. After body part is wrapped effectively, secure loose end of |Securing bandage prevents loosening and slipping of bandage. |

|bandage with self-closure devices, tape or safety pins. Secure | |

|first bandage before applying additional rolls if necessary. | |

|10. Evaluate distal circulation of affected body part. |Early detection of circulatory difficulties prevents neuromuscular |

| |complications. |

|11. Document bandage application and patient’s response. Document |All data must be entered into patient’s record. |

|patient’s skin integrity and circulation assessment. | |

|12. Report any abnormal data to the appropriate personnel. |Any abnormal finding must have a corresponding nursing action. |

N:ADN/ADN Syllabus/CBC Curriculum/Level I/1216/Performance Checklist for Basic Skills - Applying Bandages Revised 04/16

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