Nursing has always been seen as a noble profession and is often referred to as a vocation rather than just a job. There are many aspects of nursing and these days a nurse needs to be knowledgeable about many things such as how to use a charger stand for pulse oximeter, how to help with a child nebuliser mask and on occasion, even know how to change the bulb for infrared heat lamps when a maintenance guy is unavailable!

One of the things which have not altered is the fact that the applying and changing of bandages is a large part of the nursing profession, whether it is cellulose dressings or chlorhexidine dressings. This is not the most pleasant part of the job but it is very important for the health and comfort of the patient and can make all the difference to their well-being.

Usage of dressings

Applying a dressing is a first aid skill, and one common task in nursing, although many people undertake the practice with no training – especially on minor wounds. Modern dressings will almost all come in a pre-packaged sterile wrapping, date coded to ensure sterility. This is because it will come in to direct contact with the wound, and sterility is required to fulfil the 'protection from infection' aim of a dressing.

Main purposes of a dressing

A dressing can have a number of purposes, depending on the type, severity and position of the wound, although all purposes are focused towards promoting recovery and preventing further harm from the wound. An "ideal" wound dressing is one that is sterile, breathable, and conducive for a moist healing environment. These will then reduce the risk of infection, help the wound heal more quickly, and reduce scarring. Key purposes of a dressing are:

  • Stem bleeding – to help to seal the wound to expedite the clotting process;
  • Absorb exudate – to soak up blood, plasma, and other fluids exuded from the wound, containing it/them in one place;
  • Ease pain – to have an actual pain-relieving effect, whereas some others may have a placebo effect;
  • Debride the wound – to remove slough and foreign objects from the wound;
  • Protection from infection – to defend the wound against germs and mechanical damage;
  • Promote healing – to contribute to recovery via granulation and epithelialization; and
  • Reduce psychological stress – to obscure a healing wound from the view of others.

Types of dressing                

Historically, a dressing was usually a piece of material, sometimes cloth, but the use of cobwebs, dung, leaves and honey has also been described. However, modern dressings include gauze (which may be impregnated with an agent designed to help sterility or to speed healing), films, gels, foams, hydrocolloids, alginates, hydrogels and polysaccharide pastes, granules and beads.

Many gauze dressings have a layer of non-stick film over the absorbent gauze to prevent the wound from adhering to the dressing. Dressings can be impregnated with antiseptic chemicals and no matter if it is cellulose dressings or chlorhexidine dressings it takes a little skill and practice to apply them properly.