Bandages are materials of
varying sizes and shapes applied to some part of the body to retain a dressing
or a splint. They can also be made from flannel, elastic, net or special paper.
varying sizes and shapes applied to some part of the body to retain a dressing
or a splint. They can also be made from flannel, elastic, net or special paper.
A bandage can also be
described as a strip of gauze, pad, cotton, flannel or other material usually
in rolled up form of varied length/width used to hold dressing in place, to
protect a wound or control bleeding. Bandages are essential element of any
health device or institution from the first aid to local hospital.
described as a strip of gauze, pad, cotton, flannel or other material usually
in rolled up form of varied length/width used to hold dressing in place, to
protect a wound or control bleeding. Bandages are essential element of any
health device or institution from the first aid to local hospital.
Uses of Bandage
(1)It holds dressing in
place
place
(2) It is used to absorb
drainage from the wound
drainage from the wound
(3) It protects a wound
from infection
from infection
(4) It is used to apply
pressure to immobilize part
pressure to immobilize part
(5) It checks and control
haemorrhage
haemorrhage
(6) Bandage gives support
to support dressed wounds
to support dressed wounds
(7) Aids return of blood
from the wound site
from the wound site
(8) Immobilizes and
supports injured limbs
supports injured limbs
(9) To prevent and correct
deformities
deformities
(10) To prevent or reduce
swellings.
swellings.
Types of Bandages
The three basic types of
bandages are;
bandages are;
(1)Roller bandages
(2) Triangular bandages
(3) Tubular bandages.
Others include elastic
bandages, adhesive bandages, figure eight bandages, etc.
bandages, adhesive bandages, figure eight bandages, etc.
1. Figure Eight Bandage: This type is used around
joint areas such as ankles, elbow and knee to allow easy movement of the joint.
joint areas such as ankles, elbow and knee to allow easy movement of the joint.
2. Triangular Bandage: They are normal bandages
that are folded into triangular shapes. They support an injured forearm, and
also used as a sling to support a limb or to secure dressing.
that are folded into triangular shapes. They support an injured forearm, and
also used as a sling to support a limb or to secure dressing.
3. Adhesive Bandage: Also known as sticking
plaster and it is used to cover and protect minor cuts and scrapes. It has
assorted sizes.
plaster and it is used to cover and protect minor cuts and scrapes. It has
assorted sizes.
4. Roller Bandages: Just like the name, it is
usually rolled around the limbs, elbow or knee joint.
usually rolled around the limbs, elbow or knee joint.
5. Tubular Bandage: They are used to hold
dressing on fingers or toes or to support injured joint. In emergency, bandages
can be improvised from cloth or from items of clothing.
dressing on fingers or toes or to support injured joint. In emergency, bandages
can be improvised from cloth or from items of clothing.
Process of Application of a Triangular Bandage
on an Injured Head.
on an Injured Head.
This is made by folding a
large handkerchief diagonally. The longest side of the triangular bandage is
called the base; the corner directly opposite the middle of the base is called
the point and the other two corners are called the ends.
large handkerchief diagonally. The longest side of the triangular bandage is
called the base; the corner directly opposite the middle of the base is called
the point and the other two corners are called the ends.
1. Fold back the base about 2
inches to make a hem.
inches to make a hem.
2. Place the middle of the
base on the forehead just above the eyebrows with the hem outside.
base on the forehead just above the eyebrows with the hem outside.
3. Let the point fall over the
back of the head.
back of the head.
4. Bring the end of the
triangle around the back of the head above the ears, cross them over the point,
carry them around the forehead and tie in a square knot.
triangle around the back of the head above the ears, cross them over the point,
carry them around the forehead and tie in a square knot.
5. Hold the compress firmly
with one hand and with the other, gently pull down the point then bring the
point up and tuck it over and in the bandage where it crosses the back part of
the head.
with one hand and with the other, gently pull down the point then bring the
point up and tuck it over and in the bandage where it crosses the back part of
the head.
Uses of Triangular Bandages
(1)They are used for making
slings
slings
(2) They can be improvised
(3) They could be folded to
secure bulky dressing
secure bulky dressing
(4) It can be easily
applied
applied
(5) It is versatile i.e.
serve different purposes
serve different purposes
(6) It can be folded into
different shapes
different shapes
(7) It can be applied to
any part of the body
any part of the body
(8)It can be folded into
narrow fold bandages to immobilize feet and ankle.
narrow fold bandages to immobilize feet and ankle.
