How should a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) secure a dressing for a wound?

How should a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) secure a dressing for a wound?

• A. With gauze and paper tape at the top, middle, and bottom
• B. With adhesive bandages only on the corners
• C. With cotton balls secured by elastic bands
• D. With tape completely covering the wound

Answer: (A)

Securing a dressing for a wound properly is essential for both healing and preventing infection. The correct choice emphasizes the importance of using gauze and paper tape to secure the dressing adequately at key points — the top, middle, and bottom. This method distributes support evenly, reduces the risk of the dressing shifting or coming off, and provides enough flexibility to allow for movement while also ensuring a snug fit around the wound. Using paper tape, which is gentle on the skin, ensures that removing the dressing later won't cause additional trauma to the surrounding tissue. Placing the tape at multiple points gives a more stable hold, which is particularly necessary for larger or more complex wounds where movement might disrupt the healing process. Alternatives like using adhesive bandages only on the corners limit the stabilization of the dressing, which may allow it to become dislodged. Cotton balls secured by elastic bands do not provide the necessary coverage and protection that a proper dressing requires, and they may not adhere well or be sterile. Completely covering the wound with tape could potentially trap moisture and bacteria under the dressing, leading to infection and impairing healing. Thus, securing it with gauze and tape at strategic points aligns with best practices for wound care.

Securing a dressing for a wound properly is essential for both healing and preventing infection. The correct choice emphasizes the importance of using gauze and paper tape to secure the dressing adequately at key points — the top, middle, and bottom. This method distributes support evenly, reduces the risk of the dressing shifting or coming off, and provides enough flexibility to allow for movement while also ensuring a snug fit around the wound.

Using paper tape, which is gentle on the skin, ensures that removing the dressing later won't cause additional trauma to the surrounding tissue. Placing the tape at multiple points gives a more stable hold, which is particularly necessary for larger or more complex wounds where movement might disrupt the healing process.

Alternatives like using adhesive bandages only on the corners limit the stabilization of the dressing, which may allow it to become dislodged. Cotton balls secured by elastic bands do not provide the necessary coverage and protection that a proper dressing requires, and they may not adhere well or be sterile. Completely covering the wound with tape could potentially trap moisture and bacteria under the dressing, leading to infection and impairing healing. Thus, securing it with gauze and tape at strategic points aligns with best practices for wound care.