Bandages, Splints and Casts Flashcards
What are 7 functinos of a bandage?
Promote healing Protect wounds Absorption Eliminate dead space Apply or relieve pressure Modulate plain Stabilize
What are the 3 layers of a bandage?
Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
What is the primary layer?
Layer in contact with wound
What are 3 characteristics of the primary layer?
Absorbs/transfers to secondary layer
Maintains moist environment
Sterile
What are the 2 main types of primary layer?
Adherent
Non-adherent
What are the two types of adherent dressing?
Dry-to-dry
Wet-to-dry
What is dry-to-dry dressing typically used for?
Casting or stabilizing a limb.
NOT for bandaging open wounds
What are 4 advantages of wet-to-dry dressings?
Hydration
Dilutes exudate
Wicks exudate
Removes necrotic tissue
What are 2 disadvantages of wet-to-dry dressings?
Can damage healthy tissue
Painful upon removal
When do you switch from an adherent dressing to a non-adherent bandage?
When granulation tissue has formed
What are 3 advantages of non-adherent dressings?
Dressing removal won’t disturb tissue
Provides moisture
Allows abdorption
What are 6 functions of the secondary layer?
Absorbs and holds drainage Support or immobilization Decrease dead space Reduce edema Control Hemorrhage Holds primary dressing in place
What are 4 possible secondary layer materials?
Rolled cotton
Cast padding
Gauze pads
Rolled gauze (cling, used by itself or in addition to one of the above to hold it in place)
What are the 5 criteria for thickness of the secondary layer?
Amount of discharge/absorption Amount of pressure required Amount of support Immobilization Protection
What should you leave exposed when bandaging a limb?
Digits 3 and 4 to watch for swelling
How is the bandage applied?
Distal to proximal
What is the tertiary layer?
Binding layer
What is the purpose of the tertiary layer?
Protects the underlying layers from contamination
What characteristic do we want in our tertiary layer?
Breathable
What is the purpose of tape stirrups?
Helps prevent limb bandage from sliding distally
What do you do with bandage stirrups when changing your dressings?
Leave them on the foot, cut the loose end and apply new stirrups over the old ones.
What is the purpose of tape overlay?
Provides an anchor to torso and abdominal bandages by putting tape around body on the fur.
What is the purpose of a torso strap?
Helps prevent thorax bandages from slipping caudally
When would you use a tie over bandage?
When the area is not suitable for a circumferential bandage
What is a tie over bandage?
Loose interrupted sutures are placed around wound periphery, wound is packed and umbilical tape is cris-crossed over the wound through the suture to hold pack in place
What is the purpose of a patch bandage?
To cover incision lines post-op
When would you use a patch bandage?
In areas were you cannot place a circumferential bandage
How often do you need to change a patch bandage?
After a day or two. Adhesive don’t stick very well.
When would you use fur incorporation?
For tail bandages
What is a major component of bandage maintenance?
Monitoring
What are 4 components to bandage maintenance?
Owner compliance
Keep clean and dry
Restrict exercise
Check daily
What 6 things do you watch for with a bandage?
Pain/discomfort Swollen/cold digits Foul odor Drainage or discharge Mutilation (may mean something more is there that needs to be addressed) Fever
What are 3 characteristics of a Modified Robert Jones bandage?
Protects wound
Little support
Little compression
What is a reinforced Modified Robert Jones bandage?
A Modified Robert Jones bandage with a splint or aluminum rod to provide additional support for minimally displaced, stable fractures
What are 3 characteristics of a Robert Jones bandage?
Temporary support of fx distal to stifle or elbow
Compression
Minimizes swelling
What is the difference between a Robert Jones bandage and a Modified Robert Jones bandage?
Modified Robert Jones bandage is smaller and more compact
What is the purpose of a Spica splint?
Temporary splint for fx and luxations proximal to, or including the elbow or stifle
What does a Spica splint do?
Immobilizes upper extremities with aluminum rod bent over patient’s back
What does a Velpeau sling do?
Creates a non-weight bearing forelimb
What are 2 indications for a Velpeau sling?
Immobilization after reduction of shoulder luxation
Primary stabilization for some scapular fx
What does an Ehmers sling do?
Creates a non-weight bearing hind limb
When is an Ehmer sling indicated?
After reduction of cranial dorsal hip luxation (provides inward hip rotation and femoral abduction if belly band added)
With an Ehmer sling, what is the difference between making a non-weight bearing limb and providing inward hip rotation and femoral abduction (post hip luxation repair)?
The belly band is not needed if all you want to do is create a non-weight bearing limb.
What type of sling will create a non-weight bearing hind limb, but still allow some limited motion?
A pelvic limb sling or Robinson sling
When is a Robinson/Pelvic Limb sling indicated (2 times)?
Tibial or femoral fx repair
Post-op coxofemoral or stifle surgery
When is a full leg cast indicated?
Minimally displaced stable fractures distal to the elbow or stifle in young, fast healing patients
Other than the normal indications, when might you also see a full leg cast used?
As an adjunct following internal fixation or arthrodesis
What are 3 contraindications to a full leg cast?
Don’t apply over wounds
Don’t apply with significant inflammation
Don’t cast femur or fumerus
What are 5 requirements for a full leg cast?
Immobilize joint above and below fx Owner compliance Confine and restrict exercise Keep clean and dry Placed under GA
When do you change a full leg cast?
2-3 weeks in young patients
When might you apply a metacarpal/metatarsal splint?
Fx at or below carpus/tarsus
How would you apply a metacarpal/metatarsal splint?
Incorporate it into a Modified Robert Jones bandage.
