how do you use a sterile bandage

How to apply a sterile pad or gauze

• Wash hands and put on disposable, non-latex gloves before touching a dressing or wound.
• Ensure the pad covers beyond the edge of the wound.
• Hold the pad by the edges and place it directly on top of the wound. Never touch the part of the pad that will be in...
• Never touch the part of the pad that will be in contact with the wound.

Full Answer

How do you apply a bandage to a wound?

You may need to apply different types of bandages to different wounds. For instance, to apply a strip bandage to a minor scrape, place the gauze part of the bandage over the wound, then pull away the paper covering and press the adhesive onto your skin.

How to use an elastic bandage properly?

Once the gauze pad is in place, you need to wrap up the area with the elastic bandage. Start by wrapping the bandage below the wound. Moving upwards, apply the bandage, covering at least half of the applied bandage with each new pass. You will be done when you have applied the bandage to a spot above the wound.

How do you use a butterfly bandage on a cut?

If the edges of a cut are separated but will go together, use a butterfly bandage to close the wound. This type of bandage should be placed across the cut, not along its length. If the wound is long, more than one bandage may be needed.

How do you use a knuckle bandage?

A knuckle bandage is a special adhesive bandage shaped like an "H." This makes it easy to apply to cuts and abrasions between your fingers or toes. Peel off the wax paper backing and then position the wings to go between the fingers/toes, with the center piece located over the wound. This will help the bandage to stay in place for longer.

How do you use sterilized dressing?

0:342:09Apply a Sterile Dressing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut while you are still wearing sterile gloves. Pick up the dressing from the sterile field place itMoreBut while you are still wearing sterile gloves. Pick up the dressing from the sterile field place it on the wound. And hold it there.

What is the purpose of a sterile bandage?

A sterile dressing is used to: (1) Protect the wound from bacteria in the environment. (2) Protect the environment from bacteria in the wound. (3) Absorb drainage.

What is the first thing you do when putting on sterile dressing?

How to apply a sterile pad or gauzeWash hands and put on disposable, non-latex gloves before touching a dressing or wound.Ensure the pad covers beyond the edge of the wound.Hold the pad by the edges and place it directly on top of the wound. ... Secure the pad with adhesive tape or a roller bandage.

How should a sterile wound be worn?

2:476:10Setting Up A Sterile Dressing Tray and Principles of Sterility (Nursing Skills)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can use your clean hand to grab the outer edge of your forcep. Within that 1-inch border of yourMoreYou can use your clean hand to grab the outer edge of your forcep. Within that 1-inch border of your sterile drape. Keep your tips down and begin to work with your sterile dressing.

Do sterile pads stick to wounds?

Advantages: Sterile gauze bandages adhere well to the skin and are easy to cut to size. They also let wounds breathe, which is better than an application covering the entire area. This means that oxygen can still get into the damaged area even if it's covered up.

What is the difference between sterile and non-sterile bandages?

Sterile gauze pads, like Bioguard Gauze, are made to resist bacteria and keep open wounds clean. Generally more costly than non-sterile gauze, sterile pads are also usually made to wick away wound drainage and keep it protected and clean. Non-sterile gauze pads are more often used for closed wounds.

What is sterile dressing technique?

Sterile technique involves methods to reduce exposure to micro-organisms, including hand washing, and using a sterile field, instruments, gloves, and sterile dressing. Sterile dressing change may be defined as the replacement of the wound dressing using sterile technique and supplies.

How do you remove sterile dressing?

Removing the Old Dressing Put on a pair of non-sterile gloves. Carefully remove the tape. Remove the old dressing. If it is sticking to your skin, wet it with warm water to loosen it.

How do you change a sterile wound dressing?

0:448:31Sterile Wound Dressing Change - Clinical Nursing Skills @Level Up RNYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAddress my patient's pain wait for the pain medication to start working and then i would do myMoreAddress my patient's pain wait for the pain medication to start working and then i would do my dressing change to prepare to change my patient's dressing i've already washed my hands and gotten gloves

What are the four 4 kinds of bandage?

The four main types of bandages are gauze, compression, triangular and tube.

How often do you change a wound dressing?

The original dressing can be left in place for up to two days (or as advised by the nurse/doctor), as long as it is not oozing. The wound must be kept dry for two days. If the dressing becomes wet from blood or any other liquid, it must be changed.

What is the best dressing for an open wound?

Hydrocolloids. In the presence of wound exudate, hydrocolloids absorb liquid and form a gel, which maintains moisture at the wound bed and so provides an ideal wound-healing environment in wounds that are not already very wet. These dressings are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and thicknesses.

What is considered a sterile dressing?

Sterile dressing change may be defined as the replacement of the wound dressing using sterile technique and supplies. Clean technique involves employing methods to reduce the overall number of micro-organisms. Clean technique involves hand washing, preparing a clean field, and using clean gloves and instruments.

Does a wound dressing need to be sterile?

Findings: All 4 studies reported no significant difference in the rate of wound infection when using either clean or sterile technique with dressing application.

When to apply steri strip?

Typically, your doctor or surgeon will apply Steri-Strips after surgery or treatment for an injury. But you may need to apply them at home if you can’t get medical care right away.

What is steri strip?

Steri-Strips are thin adhesive bandages often used by surgeons as a backup to dissolvable stitches or after regular stitches are removed . They’re also available for purchase in local pharmacies for self-care. You can use them to help close shallow cuts or wounds, but it’s important to seek medical treatment for severe injuries.

What is a butterfly stitch called?

You can use them to help close shallow cuts or wounds, but it’s important to seek medical treatment for severe injuries. Steri-Strips are also called butterfly stitches or butterfly bandages when they are thin in the middle and have two wide, sticky areas at each end, like the wings of a butterfly.

What does it mean when you can't move a steri strip?

is in a joint you can’t move — this may mean a nerve, muscle, or tendon has been injured. Also be sure to keep a close eye on the wound once a Steri-Strip has been applied. Get medical care right away if you notice the wound: won’t stop bleeding. becomes red, swollen, or filled with pus. becomes more painful.

How long should you put pressure on a cut?

Use a sterile cloth to put pressure on the cut for at least 5 minutes. Don’t use Steri-Strips if the cut is still bleeding after 5 minutes. Is the wound less than a 1/2 inch in length? Steri-Strips aren’t recommended for cuts that are a 1/2 inch or longer.

How do splints help seal wounds?

They help seal wounds by pulling the two sides of the skin together without making any contact with the actual wound. This reduces the chance of introducing any bacteria or other substances into the cut.

Do stitches need to be removed?

But, like stitches or other types of wound closures, they need to be applied and removed correctly. You also need to pay careful attention to them while they’re helping a wound to heal. It’s also important to keep an eye on your wound and to get care if doesn’t stop bleeding, or shows signs of infection.

How to use a bandage for a wound?

After rinsing a minor wound, apply antibiotic ointment and cover the wound with a gauze bandage. If the wound is small, use a plaster.

How to put bandage on your wrist?

Pull the bandage around your pinky finger and under the fingers to your pointer finger. Then pull it around the pointer finger and down diagonally across the top of your hand to the outside of your wrist.

What is a roll bandage?

Cotton/linen roller bandages. Similar to compression bandages, these bandages come in a roll. They’re typically used to hold gauze dressings in place.

How to treat a sprain in the hand?

However, you may visit a doctor to understand the source of your strain and how best to treat it. When to use a bandage: As with a sprain, a compression bandage will help to immobilize the injured area and maintain pressure. A doctor might recommend a specialized device to immobilize your hand, such as a splint.

What is compression bandage?

Compression bandages. Also known as elastic roller bandages or crepe bandages, these types of bandage include a long strip of stretchy fabric packed in a tight roll. Compression bandages are used to support the bones, joints, and connective tissues in the hand after injuries such as sprains and strains. Gauze bandages.

How to help a sprained hand heal?

When to use a bandage: A compression bandage can help maintain pressure around the sprained area. This minimizes swelling by preventing fluid buildup at the site of the sprain, helping your hand heal faster. A doctor might recommend a specialized device to immobilize your hand, such as a splint.

What is gauze dressing?

Gauze bandages. Gauze bandages are not technically bandages, but dressings. A gauze dressing is a thick, cotton pad used to cover medium- to large-sized wounds. They may be held in place by tape or a roller bandage.

Where to put bandages on a wound?

Avoid placing the bandages on the sink or the back of the toilet or on a table. This will help prevent contaminating the dressings that touch your incision.

How to tape a bandage incision?

Once the bandage is covering the incision with at least half an inch extra bandage on each side, you can tape it into place. Tape all four sides into place , until the bandage is sealed. You may need to use a few extra pieces of tape if the bandage is thick.

How to get rid of a bandage that has been thrown away?

Wash Hands Again. Now that your incision is covered and your dirty bandage has been thrown away, wash your hands one last time. This last wash ensures you can go about your day without spreading any bacteria or infection that was on your old bandage.

Why is it important to change a bandage?

Changing a surgical bandage is not difficult, but it is important that the dressing change be done correctly in order to protect your incision and prevent infection . To best protect your incision, your hands need to be very clean when doing this procedure. Most people think they wash their hands properly, but most do not, ...

How to remove bandage without pain?

To remove a bandage without inflicting pain, do not pull the bandage away from the skin, rather pull the skin away from the bandage. This way, pain is minimized and the process is far gentler on the tender skin surrounding the incision.

How many gloves do you need to change a bandage?

You will need three pairs of gloves for the procedure. Put on a clean pair of gloves after washing your hands, after removing the old bandage, and before applying the new bandage. 1.

Why do you need to wash your hands when changing a bandage?

It may seem that there is an excessive amount of hand-washing in the process of changing a bandage, but this is done to prevent infection and is necessary. Proper hand-washing is the best way to prevent infecting your incision and spreading germs. 3 . How to Wash Your Hands Properly. 3.

How to stop bleeding from a face injury?

For most injuries, first you'll want to clean it with water to get rid of debris and help prevent infection. Then, stop bleeding by applying pressure with sterile gauze. Face injuries can bleed a lot.

How to keep incision clean after surgery?

After surgery, you'll need to keep the incision site clean and dry. Change the dressing according to your doctor's instructions. Each time you remove the old dressing, check the wound for signs of infection, such as increasing redness around the wound, a yellow or green discharge, or an unusual odor. Swipe to advance.

What to do if you have a skinned knee?

Skinned knees or elbows can be awkward to cover. Larger-sized bandages or adhesive bandages with wings can hug joints and move with you. Another alternative: Use a liquid bandage. This will stop minor bleeding and protect the wound from dirt and water.

What to use to close a cut?

If the edges of a cut are separated but will go together, use a butterfly bandage to close the wound. This type of bandage should be placed across the cut, not along its length. If the wound is long, more than one bandage may be needed.

What to do if you don't stop bleeding after a tetanus shot?

Call your doctor for deep cuts, puncture wounds, or injuries that don't stop bleeding after several minutes of pressure. Adults should call a doctor about getting a tetanus shot if they haven't had one in the past 5 years. For children, check with your doctor. And always look out for infection.

Why do you need to cover your finger?

Fingers, heels, and knuckles move so covering them can be tricky. But you'll want to keep them covered to keep dirt out. Bandages that are hourglass shaped or notched so they are shaped like an "H" can prevent folds and bunching. Or they can wrap around a fingertip for full coverage.

Can you use bandage on a cut?

Adhesive strips can be used for small cuts, but be sure to change the bandage if it gets wet or dirty. Seek medical help for deep cuts or puncture wounds on the hands or feet.

How deep should a butterfly bandage be?

3. Determine how deep and long the cut is. Use a butterfly bandage if the cut is less than 1/4 in (6 mm) deep and less than 3/4 in (19 mm) long. If the cut is longer or deeper than this, it will need stitches. If you can see muscle or fat, the cut will need stitches in order to heal properly. ...

How to stop bleeding from a cut?

Apply pressure to stop the bleeding. Press a clean cloth or towel against the injury for up to 5 minutes. If it's a minor cut, the bleeding should stop. If the cut is more serious and continues to bleed after applying pressure for 10 to 15 minutes, you'll need to get medical attention. [8]

How to protect a butterfly cut?

If you have a small, shallow cut, you can apply a butterfly bandage to close it and protect it from the elements. Before you apply your bandage, rinse the cut with cool, running water to clean out any dirt or debris. Then, wash around the cut with soap, rinse it off, and pat it dry with a clean cloth.

How to keep a cut closed?

To encourage healing and keep the cut closed, open another butterfly bandage and put it directly above the main bandage you just applied. Open another butterfly bandage and put it directly below the main bandage. These will distribute the tension across your skin so the main bandage isn't being pulled. 2.

How to get a cut out of a butterfly?

2. Set half of the bandage on 1 side and pull it to the other side of the cut. Take the butterfly bandage and remove the backing to reveal the adhesive. Press 1 half of the bandage on a side of the cut.

How to get rid of a cut on the skin?

These harsh cleansers can actually irritate the injury. 2. Wash the skin around the wound. Gently rub soapy water on the skin surrounding the cut. Ensure that soapy water doesn't run into the cut. Then rinse the soapy water away with cool water and pat it dry with a clean cloth. [2]

What to do if you see a cut on your skin?

Look at the injury to see if it's a cut, if the skin's been torn, or if the skin's been scraped. Butterfly bandages are useful for holding together shallow cuts with clean edges. If you see torn skin that's jagged, it will probably need stitches.

Why should sterile technique be observed in the hospital?

That being said I also agree with the previous poster who said that in the hospital sterile technique should be observed due to the overwhelming risk of hospital aquired infection.

When it comes to wounds, I use sterile tecnique.those patients are at high risk for?

when it comes to wounds, I use sterile tecnique...those patients are at high risk for infection...we don't want to give those vulnrable patients another hit..our rule is to minimize this risk!!!

Was the last surgical wound sterile?

the last surgical wound was a different story. it was a strict sterile dressing change and it still went septic from bacteria in the bowel (had a hemicolectomy). when i was in the hospital on iv antibiotics for this, it was interesting watching the different nurses who changed the dressing (bid dressing changes). some did it strictly sterile. some fudged a little. i was on 3 iv antibiotics, however.

Can you put a wet to dry dressing on a closed wound?

Yes Mcknis...if its a closed wound you certainly do not want to do a wet to dry. And remember you need an order for wet to dry dressings. The thought process or at least what I remember being taught long ago is you pack it wet and as it dries the dead icky stuff (like my nursing terminology..im tired im sorry) adheres to the dry dressing and when you pull it out you are performing a type of debridement so the wound heals from the inside out. If you were to put a wet to dry dressing on a closed wound you will be making a breeding ground for more bacteria and can then make a closed wound an open one. Hope this makes sense and again im tired and sorry if it doesnt.

Can you put gauze over a wound?

If it's dry gauze over an incision then I place the sterile side of the gauze over the wound without touching it....