Dressing
Dressing (Medical)
Dressing (/ˈdrɛsɪŋ/) is a medical term referring to the application of a sterile covering to a wound or injury to promote healing and prevent further harm.
Etymology
The term "dressing" originates from the Old French word "dresser" which means to prepare or arrange. In the context of medicine, it refers to the act of preparing and applying a protective cover to a wound.
Types of Dressings
There are several types of dressings used in medical practice, each with its specific purpose and application. Some of these include:
- Gauze Dressing: A thin, translucent fabric with a loose open weave, used to cover and protect wounds.
- Hydrocolloid Dressing: A type of dressing that contains gel-forming agents in an adhesive compound laminated onto a flexible, water-resistant outer layer.
- Hydrogel Dressing: A dressing that is designed to manage fluid exchange on the surface of the wound.
- Alginate Dressing: A dressing made from seaweed that is highly absorbent and used on wounds with heavy exudate.
Application
The application of a dressing involves cleaning the wound, applying the dressing material, and securing it with a bandage or adhesive. The dressing should be changed regularly to maintain a clean environment for the wound to heal.
Related Terms
- Bandage: A piece of material used either to support a medical device such as a dressing or splint, or on its own to provide support to or to restrict the movement of a part of the body.
- Wound: A type of injury which happens relatively quickly in which skin is torn, cut, or punctured (an open wound), or where blunt force trauma causes a contusion (a closed wound).
- Sterilization (Medical): Any process that eliminates, removes, kills, or deactivates all forms of life and other biological agents.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Dressing
- Wikipedia's article - Dressing
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