Book Title: Wound Care Nursing
Chapter 11: Bandaging and Compression Therapy
Overview:
- Refers to the factors influencing venous return
- Mentions the science of compression therapy and refers to Laplace’s law
- Includes useful tips for applying compression
- Provides a tabulated summary for choosing a compression-bandage system
- Guides on patient education
Description:
Approximately 1-2 % of people develop a chronic lower leg ulcer (Stanley et al. 2002). Although chronic lower leg ulceration occurs most commonly in older adults, it also affects a small proportion of younger adults (Hewitt et al. 2003). Approximately 55-70% of leg ulcers are due to venous hypertension (Hewitt et al. 2003; Rice 2002). The aims of treatment of venous leg ulcers are; (i) to promote the return of fluid from the tissues into the vascular and lymphatic systems; and (iI) to facilitate venous return through support of the veins (Hofman 1998). This is achieved through the application of graded compression therapy to the affected limb. This chapter focuses particularly on bandaging and compression therapy.
Topics:
- Factors influencing venous return
- Indications and contraindications
- Indications for compression therapy
- Contraindications for compression therapy
- The science of compression therapy
- Optimal pressures
- Laplace’s law
- Applying compression
- Training
- Technique for applying compression therapy
- Reduced compression
- Dressings
- Padding
- Types of compression systems
- Choosing a compression-therapy system
- Four-layer bandage systems
- Short-stretch bandages
- Long-stretch bandages
- Zinc-paste bandages
- Retention bandages
- Other therapies
- Unna’s boot
- Intermittent pneumatic-compression therapy
- Compression hosiery
- Tubular bandages
- Patient education
Speaker / Author:
Sue Templeton
is a registered nurse who holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She is currently undertaking a master’s degree in nursing. Sue has more than 16 years’ experience in the management of acute and chronic wounds, and has initiated wound management policies, designed wound assessment tools, and contributed to the development of a clinical pathway for the management of venous leg ulcers. Sue frequently conducts wound management education for nurses in a variety of settings and has published and presented at local and national forums. She is currently employed as the advanced wound specialist and clinical nurse consultant with the Royal District Nursing Service of South Australia. Sue is also a clinical tutor with the University of Adelaide, a member of the South Australian Wound Management Association, the South Australian Society for Vascular Nursing, and the Australian Council of Community Nursing Services.
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