1. M.S RAMAIAH INSTITUTE OF NURSING EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
BANGALORE - ’54
COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING
WOUND DRESSING
BY;
o RASSAL RAJ
4TH YEAR BSC (N)

2. INTRODUCTION
The procedure applies to dressings that are
done in the school , homes , centers or in an industrial
health office. It is frequently necessary for the nurse to
dress traumatic wounds and other lesions particularly in
rural areas where other medical services are not
available .

3. DEFINITION
“Cleansing a wound or incision and apply
sterile protective covering using aseptic
technique” .

4. PURPOSES
To remove and dispose of soiled
dressings to prevent spread of
infection .
To cleanse area around the wound to
prevent additional infection .
To apply sterile dressing to prevent
other infections and to promote
healing.

5. PRINCIPLES
 Practice strict aseptic technique to prevent
infection.
 All articles should be disinfected thoroughly to
make sure that they are free from pathogens.
 Wash hands before and after the procedure.
 Instruments used for one dressing can not be used
for another until they have been re-sterilized.
 Use mask , sterile gloves and gowns for large
dressing to minimise the wound contamination.
 Use individually wrapped sterile dressing and
equipments for greatest safety of wound.

6.  Create a sterile field around the wound by spreading sterile
towel.
 Avoid talking ,coughing and sneezing when the wound is
opened.
 Cleaning of the wound should be done from the cleanest
area to the less clean area.
 When dressing the wound keep the wound edges as near
as possible to promote healing.
 Before doing the dressing inspect the wound for any
complications such as dehiscence and evisceration.
 Avoid meal timings.
 Give an analgesic prior to the painful dressings.

7. ARTICLES NEEDED
 2 paper bags or two large leaves;one for soiled dressings and
one for dressings to be washed for re –use .
 Instuments ; scissors , artery forceps , dissecting forceps .
 Sterile dressings – packaged dressings that have been
autoclaved in the centre or local hospital or cold clean
absorbent clothes that have been boiled, and “well” ironed in
the home .
 Other supplies such as cotton swabs or pieces of old
absorbent cloth, applicator .
 A bowl , kidney tray or substitute for use as container to sterile
irrigating solution if needed .
 Spirits , antiseptic bowl of soap and water as indicated .

9. ARTICLES NEEDED

10. scissors
Artery
forceps

11. GAUZE PIECES
COTTON BALLS

12. LIST 0F SOLUTIONS USED
.

15. PROCEDURE
 Assemble supplied and equipment at bedside
either on box, extra charpoy, chair or table.
 Explain the procedure to the patient or to the
home nurse.
 Remove bandages and other dressing with
fingers or with forceps.
 Stress on washing of hands thoroughly with
soap and water.
 Demonstrate surgical dressing to the home
nurse.
 Apply medication as directed in standing order.

16. PROCEDURE CONT…
Apply sterile dressing and fasten it
with a bandage , or a strip of clean rag
preferably white.
Record the services, the condition of
the wound and medication used.
Take the person’s temperature and
pulse and refer to the doctor as
indicated.

17. AFTER CARE OF EQUIPMENT
Wrap the soiled dressing and burn. Do
this yourself with the help of home nurse.
Wash used instruments and bowls with
soap and water, rinse and boil for 5
minutes.
Return clean boiled instruments to the
nursing bag. Stress on importance of
hand washing after the procedure.

18. CONCLUSION
It is cleanse area around the wound to prevent
additional infection. The procedure applies to
dressings that are done in the school , homes ,
centers or in an industrial health office. The
challenges of wound management have been
highlighted suggesting that clinical governance,
pain management from wounds and improving
quality of life through effective wound care are
intricately related.

19. BIBLIOGRAPHY
 A community health nursing manual, TNAI
,3rd edition,Pg no:155- 158.
 Annamma Jacob , clinical nursing
procedure 2nd edition, Pg no:356- 358.
 Principles and practices of nursing, Sr.
Nancy,4th edition, Pg no:39-40.