Bandages, Splints and Casts

Question 1

What are 7 functinos of a bandage?

Answer 1

Promote healing
Protect wounds
Absorption
Eliminate dead space
Apply or relieve pressure
Modulate plain
Stabilize

Question 2

What are the 3 layers of a bandage?

Answer 2

Primary
Secondary
Tertiary

Question 3

What is the primary layer?

Answer 3

Layer in contact with wound

Question 4

What are 3 characteristics of the primary layer?

Answer 4

Absorbs/transfers to secondary layer
Maintains moist environment
Sterile

Question 5

What are the 2 main types of primary layer?

Answer 5

Adherent

Non-adherent

Question 6

What are the two types of adherent dressing?

Answer 6

Dry-to-dry

Wet-to-dry

Question 7

What is dry-to-dry dressing typically used for?

Answer 7

Casting or stabilizing a limb.

NOT for bandaging open wounds

Question 8

What are 4 advantages of wet-to-dry dressings?

Answer 8

Hydration
Dilutes exudate
Wicks exudate
Removes necrotic tissue

Question 9

What are 2 disadvantages of wet-to-dry dressings?

Answer 9

Can damage healthy tissue

Painful upon removal

Question 10

When do you switch from an adherent dressing to a non-adherent bandage?

Answer 10

When granulation tissue has formed

Question 11

What are 3 advantages of non-adherent dressings?

Answer 11

Dressing removal won’t disturb tissue
Provides moisture
Allows abdorption

Question 12

What are 6 functions of the secondary layer?

Answer 12

Absorbs and holds drainage
Support or immobilization
Decrease dead space
Reduce edema
Control Hemorrhage
Holds primary dressing in place

Question 13

What are 4 possible secondary layer materials?

Answer 13

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)

Question 14

What are the 5 criteria for thickness of the secondary layer?

Answer 14

Amount of discharge/absorption
Amount of pressure required
Amount of support
Immobilization
Protection

Question 15

What should you leave exposed when bandaging a limb?

Answer 15

Digits 3 and 4 to watch for swelling

Question 16

How is the bandage applied?

Answer 16

Distal to proximal

Question 17

What is the tertiary layer?

Answer 17

Binding layer

Question 18

What is the purpose of the tertiary layer?

Answer 18

Protects the underlying layers from contamination

Question 19

What characteristic do we want in our tertiary layer?

Answer 19

Breathable

Question 20

What is the purpose of tape stirrups?

Answer 20

Helps prevent limb bandage from sliding distally

Question 21

What do you do with bandage stirrups when changing your dressings?

Answer 21

Leave them on the foot, cut the loose end and apply new stirrups over the old ones.

Question 22

What is the purpose of tape overlay?

Answer 22

Provides an anchor to torso and abdominal bandages by putting tape around body on the fur.

Question 23

What is the purpose of a torso strap?

Answer 23

Helps prevent thorax bandages from slipping caudally

Question 24

When would you use a tie over bandage?

Answer 24

When the area is not suitable for a circumferential bandage

Question 25

What is a tie over bandage?

Answer 25

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

Question 26

What is the purpose of a patch bandage?

Answer 26

To cover incision lines post-op

Question 27

When would you use a patch bandage?

Answer 27

In areas were you cannot place a circumferential bandage

Question 28

How often do you need to change a patch bandage?

Answer 28

After a day or two. Adhesive don't stick very well.

Question 29

When would you use fur incorporation?

Answer 29

For tail bandages

Question 30

What is a major component of bandage maintenance?

Answer 30

Monitoring

Question 31

What are 4 components to bandage maintenance?

Answer 31

Owner compliance Keep clean and dry Restrict exercise Check daily

Question 32

What 6 things do you watch for with a bandage?

Answer 32

``` Pain/discomfort Swollen/cold digits Foul odor Drainage or discharge Mutilation (may mean something more is there that needs to be addressed) Fever ```

Question 33

What are 3 characteristics of a Modified Robert Jones bandage?

Answer 33

Protects wound Little support Little compression

Question 34

What is a reinforced Modified Robert Jones bandage?

Answer 34

A Modified Robert Jones bandage with a splint or aluminum rod to provide additional support for minimally displaced, stable fractures

Question 35

What are 3 characteristics of a Robert Jones bandage?

Answer 35

Temporary support of fx distal to stifle or elbow Compression Minimizes swelling

Question 36

What is the difference between a Robert Jones bandage and a Modified Robert Jones bandage?

Answer 36

Modified Robert Jones bandage is smaller and more compact

Question 37

What is the purpose of a Spica splint?

Answer 37

Temporary splint for fx and luxations proximal to, or including the elbow or stifle

Question 38

What does a Spica splint do?

Answer 38

Immobilizes upper extremities with aluminum rod bent over patient's back

Question 39

What does a Velpeau sling do?

Answer 39

Creates a non-weight bearing forelimb

Question 40

What are 2 indications for a Velpeau sling?

Answer 40

Immobilization after reduction of shoulder luxation | Primary stabilization for some scapular fx

Question 41

What does an Ehmers sling do?

Answer 41

Creates a non-weight bearing hind limb

Question 42

When is an Ehmer sling indicated?

Answer 42

After reduction of cranial dorsal hip luxation (provides inward hip rotation and femoral abduction if belly band added)

Question 43

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)?

Answer 43

The belly band is not needed if all you want to do is create a non-weight bearing limb.

Question 44

What type of sling will create a non-weight bearing hind limb, but still allow some limited motion?

Answer 44

A pelvic limb sling or Robinson sling

Question 45

When is a Robinson/Pelvic Limb sling indicated (2 times)?

Answer 45

Tibial or femoral fx repair | Post-op coxofemoral or stifle surgery

Question 46

When is a full leg cast indicated?

Answer 46

Minimally displaced stable fractures distal to the elbow or stifle in young, fast healing patients

Question 47

Other than the normal indications, when might you also see a full leg cast used?

Answer 47

As an adjunct following internal fixation or arthrodesis

Question 48

What are 3 contraindications to a full leg cast?

Answer 48

Don't apply over wounds Don't apply with significant inflammation Don't cast femur or fumerus

Question 49

What are 5 requirements for a full leg cast?

Answer 49

``` Immobilize joint above and below fx Owner compliance Confine and restrict exercise Keep clean and dry Placed under GA ```

Question 50

When do you change a full leg cast?

Answer 50

2-3 weeks in young patients

Question 51

When might you apply a metacarpal/metatarsal splint?

Answer 51

Fx at or below carpus/tarsus

Question 52

How would you apply a metacarpal/metatarsal splint?

Answer 52

Incorporate it into a Modified Robert Jones bandage.