Sterile Dry dressing
Name _________________________________________ Date _________________________
Instructor ______________________________________ Results S
U
Step
S
Check MD orders for type of dressing and frequency. Determine last change.
Obtain supplies.
Assess patient’s comfort/anxiety level. Administer pain medicine as ordered 30
minutes prior to change if needed.
Explain procedure to patient and provide privacy
Position patient comfortably with only wound site exposed. Raise the bed to a
comfortable working level and lower side rail.
Wash hands. Don clean gloves.
Remove old dressing, loosening tape towards the dressing. Note amount of
drainage on old dressing, assessing color and odor. Note size and
appearance of wound. Discard dressing.
Remove gloves and discard. Wash hands.
Assemble dressing supplies on a clean surface such as a bedside over table.
a. Open sterile field
b. Open gauze onto sterile field placing enough gauze for cleaning wound
along with gauze to be used to cover wound on one side of sterile field.
Place gauze that is to remain dry on other side of sterile field.
c. Lip solution bottle and dampen a minimum of 5 gauzes.
d. Tear tape.
Don sterile gloves. Using moistened gauze, forming a pocket with gauze,
clean wound, from least contaminated to most contaminated. Use clean gauze
for each swipe. Clean the wound first followed by one side then the other.
May also clean from wound out. (see diagram)
NP
U
NP
Dry wound with dry gauze, patting the wound in the same manner as used
when cleaning.
Cover wound with clean, dry gauze and apply tape to hold dressing securely,
noting on tape initials of person completing dressing change, date and time of
dressing change.
Remove gloves and dispose of gloves and sterile field. Wash hands.
Put patient’s bed back in low position, raise side rails and make sure patient is
comfortable.
Document dressing change
a. Appearance of drainage, wound and any odor
b. Type of dressing applied
c. Patient’s tolerance of procedure