Question

When putting an elastic bandage on a patient who has a wound, the nurse applies additional rolls of gauze covering the entire skin surface. What is the rationale behind this nursing action?

1 To prevent wrinkling
2 To prevent circulatory impairment
3 To reduce transmission of microbes
4 To maintain uniform bandage tension

Answer 1

A nurse covers the entire skin surface with additional gauze when applying an elastic bandage to keep uniform tension, prevent circulatory problems, and minimize infection risks. This ensures effective healing and reduces the possibility of complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse applies additional rolls of gauze covering the entire skin surface when putting an elastic bandage on a patient with a wound to maintain uniform bandage tension, prevent circulatory impairment, and reduce transmission of microbes. Uniform bandage tension is important for avoiding constriction and ensuring that the bandage serves its purpose without causing additional harm. Preventing circulatory impairment is crucial because excessive tightness can lead to poor blood circulation, which might exacerbate the condition. Moreover, proper coverage helps reduce the transmission of microbes, lowering the risk of infection, which is a key aspect of effective wound care. Monitoring for increased redness, swelling, and pain after bandaging is essential because these signs can indicate an infection or that the wound is not healing properly.