How far should the tape extend on an improvised occlusive dressing?

• A. About 1 inch beyond the wound edges
• B. At least 2 inches beyond all edges of the wound
• C. 4 inches beyond the wound edges
• D. Only around the wound margins

Answer: (B)

Creating a secure, leak-proof seal around the wound is the goal when applying an improvised occlusive dressing. Extending the tape at least two inches beyond every edge of the wound gives enough contact area with the surrounding skin to hold the dressing in place and to maintain a solid seal, even if swelling occurs or the dressing is tugged by movement. This width helps prevent edges from lifting and stops air or moisture from seeping underneath. Extending only around the margins can leave gaps at the wound edge, and too little extension may fail to hold the dressing during swelling or movement. Excessive width isn’t usually needed and can be unwieldy, but two inches provides a reliable, practical balance.