A triangular bandage is a type of bandage made from a square piece of preshrunk cotton muslin measuring 36 to 40 inches along each side. What is this bandage called?

• A. Tubular bandage
• B. Triangular bandage
• C. Figure-8 bandage
• D. Spiral bandage

Answer: (B)

The item described is a triangular bandage. When you take a square piece of preshrunk cotton muslin and fold it diagonally, you get a large triangle with enough fabric to support and secure wounds or injuries. This shape makes it extremely versatile in first aid: it can be opened into a triangle to form a sling for an arm, or tied around a dressing or splint to immobilize a part of the body. The 36 to 40-inch sides give plenty of length to tie securely and to adjust for different injuries. This type differs from tubular bandages, which are continuous tubes of fabric used for compression, and from techniques like figure-8 or spiral bandages, which describe wrapping patterns rather than a specific bandage type.