Wounds and Bandaging

Question 1

exudate

Answer 1

substance that leaks out of a wound (cells/fluid)

Question 2

hematoma

Answer 2

mass of clotted blood in a tissue, organ, or body cavity

Question 3

seroma

Answer 3

mass of fluid in a tissue, organ, or body cavity

Question 4

debridement

Answer 4

removal of non-viable tissue or foreign material from a wound

Question 5

necrotic/necrosis

Answer 5

dead tissue/death occuring

Question 6

what are the purposes of bandaging?

Answer 6

management of soft tissue wounds, stabilizes bone and joint injuries, and postoperative care

Question 7

how does bandaging aid in soft tissue management?

Answer 7

protects the wound from environment and patient, manages exudate, creates healing environment, decreases hematoma/seroma formation, provides support and comfort, delivers topical agents, aids in debridement

Question 8

how does bandaging aid in stabilizing bone and joint injuries?

Answer 8

stabilizes fractures, maintains splint/cast in position, restricts motion, prevents weight bearing, protects soft tissue from further injury, decreases edema

Question 9

how does bandaging aid in postoperative care?

Answer 9

decreases hemorrhage and edema, eliminates dead space, increases comfort, protects the wound from the patient and the environment

Question 10

what are the different bandage layers?

Answer 10

primary: contacts wound
secondary: provides support, absorbs exudate, and protects bony prominences
tertiary: holds underlying bandage in place

Question 11

what are the two main types of primary layer bandaging?

Answer 11

adherent and non-adherent

adherent= non-selective mechanical debridement ex: gauze
non-adherent= moisture-retaining

Question 12

what are the different types of primary layer bandages that fall under the non-adherent category?

Answer 12

non-occlusive, semi-occlusive, and occlusive

Question 13

when would you use a non-adherent bandage?

Answer 13

when the wound is in the healing process and has granulation tissue

Question 14

what is a non-occlusive bandage used for and how often should you change?

Answer 14

covers surgical incisions and protects recently epithelialized surfaces
change daily

Question 15

what is a semi-occlusive bandage used for and how often should you change?

Answer 15

used for moderate-high exudate wounds since it draws fluid and debris away from the wound and maintains a moist environment
change every 1-3 days

Question 16

what is an occlusive bandage used for and how often should you change?

Answer 16

used for minimally exudative wounds because it maintains a moist environment, promotes epithelization, and protects new epithelium
change every 4-7 days

Question 17

what are examples of each type of occlusive bandage?

Answer 17

non-occlusive: Telfa pads
semi-occlusive: Curagel
occlusive: NU-GEL

Question 18

what is important to follow when putting on the secondary bandage layer?

Answer 18

no wrinkles, always start distal to proximal, 50/50 layers (put down a layer of wrap and then cover 50% of that layer with the next layer)

Question 19

what are examples of secondary bandage layers?

Answer 19

cast padding and bandaging cotton

Question 20

what are examples of tertiary layer bandages?

Answer 20

conforming gauze (Kling), non-occlusive elastic bandage (Vetrap), non-occlusive elastic adhesive tape (Elastikon), and porous tape (white tape)

Question 21

what are the types of distal limb bandages?

Answer 21

Robert Jones and modified Robert Jones

Robert Jones= temporarily immobilizes limbs distal to elbow or stifle joint, big and thick
modified Robert Jones= soft-padded bandage, not too tight so it doesn’t cause pressure necrosis

Question 22

when should a tail bandage be used?

Answer 22

partial tail amputation, protection of wounds, tumor removal, wrap long-haired dogs/cats with severe diarrhea to keep them clean, “happy tail” (injuring tail from excitedly wagging it too much in a confined space)

Question 23

what are some supplies that can be used for a tail wrap?

Answer 23

can use porous tape to secure the bandage or a syringe case/pool noodle if needed for extra support and protection

Question 24

when should an abdominal bandage be used?

Answer 24

to secure a gastronomy tube, after caudal mastectomy chain removal, extensive wounds or dissection of abdominal region

Question 25

what are important things to be aware of when putting on an abdominal bandage?

Answer 25

make sure the bandage doesn’t inhibit breathing, don’t cover the penis or anus, and the bandage could move around easily

Question 26

when should a thorax bandage be used?

Answer 26

to secure a chest drain, protect large thoracic wounds, and after spinal surgery

Question 27

what is important to be aware of when putting on a thoracic bandage?

Answer 27

make sure the bandage doesn’t inhibit breathing

Question 28

when should a head/neck bandage be used?

Answer 28

to secure a jugular catheter, protect wounds, and secure feeding tubes

Question 29

what is important to be aware of when putting on a head/neck bandage?

Answer 29

monitor the animal closely for potential respiratory compromise and if the head bandage is placed too close to the eye it could cause corneal abrasions if it moves around

Question 30

Ehmer sling

Answer 30

non-weight bearing, protects pelvic limbs after hip joint injury, and it will internally rotate and adduct the femur so the femoral head is forced into the acetabulum

Question 31

what is important to know about slings?

Answer 31

never keep a sling on for more than 2-3 weeks cause muscle atrophy will happen and you only need to use 1-2 layers of Elastikon to make the sling

Question 32

Velpeau sling

Answer 32

forelimb sling, mainly used after medial shoulder joint luxation, incorporates the thoracic bandage

Question 33

90/90 flexion sling

Answer 33

single loop around the stifle and hock in a 90 degree flexion, used for post distal femoral fracture, only needs 2-3 days before pain and edema decrease

Question 34

carpal flexion sling

Answer 34

forelimb sling, prevents weight bearing but allows movement of elbow and shoulder joints

Question 35

hobbles

Answer 35

used to prevent abduction of hip joints after ventral coxofemoral luxation, should never be wider than the width of the animal’s pelvis

Question 36

what do casts/splints do?

Answer 36

provides stabilization and support for joint injuries, can provide temporary support until surgery, can be used as a means of definitive treatment, or as an adjunct after surgical stabilization

Question 37

what part of the body are casts/splints used on?

Answer 37

only used on injuries below the elbow/stifle

Question 38

what is important to know when putting on a cast/splint?

Answer 38

immobilize the joint above and below the fracture

Question 39

cast

Answer 39

a fiberglass material that encircles the entire limb and is removed with an oscillating cast saw

Question 40

what to know when putting a cast on?

Answer 40

wear gloves!! and put a layer of toilet paper between the secondary layer and the casting material to help prevent the casting material from adhering to skin/fur

Question 41

bivalved cast

Answer 41

when the cast is cut on both sides and then held together by gauze or tape
allows the cast to be taken off to change bandages when needed for highly exudative wounds

Question 42

Quik splint

Answer 42

pre-fabricated splint
plastic
applied to lateral aspect of limb and best for radial/ulnar/tibial/fibular fractures

Question 43

spoon splint

Answer 43

pre-fabricated splint
plastic or aluminum
applied to caudal limb surface and best for metacarpal/metatarsal or phalangeal fractures

Question 44

spica splint

Answer 44

maintains forelimb or pelvic limb extension through application of a soft padded bandage and strong lateral support splint
used after elbow luxation or if the overall mobility of limb must be reduced
prolonged use can cause muscle contracture and joint damage

Question 45

Schroeder-Thomas splint

Answer 45

external weight bearing device
used for closed fractures of radius/ulna/tibia/fibula in young animals
not used in small animals cause it causes muscle contracture and permanent loss of limb function
use of a metal rod and honey-comb apparatus to shape to patient

Question 46

when should a bandage be changed?

Answer 46

copious exudate: at least once a day
healthy granulation tissue: every 2-3 days
wound is not visible externally: weekly
strike through: change immediately

Question 47

strike through

Answer 47

exudate seeps through bandage and can be seen on tertiary layer

Question 48

what aftercare should be done to the bandage/wound?

Answer 48

limit exercise so bandage doesn’t move around and cause chafing, monitor for edema (check toes), monitor temperature (heat=infection, cold=constriction), keep bandage/wound dry (use bags to cover it but not for more than 30 minutes), use e-collar as needed (PRN), monitor for odor or behavior changes (animal very uncomfortable with bandage will need it to be changed)