Taping Technique

Protocol
(Taping with Care)
Norberto G. Prepose, Jr., RN, MAN
Nurse VI, Assistant Chief Nurse
ITRMC, Nursing Service Division

Course Description
This course focuses on protocols for

taping and use of dressing in I.V.

Therapy.

General Objective
Discuss the protocols, dressing and

taping technique in IV Therapy.

Course Content
Hand Hygiene
Management of Sharps
Hazardous materials and waste
Use Personal Protective Equipment

(PPE)

How to optimize adhesion without

damaging patients skin
1. Clean and dry skin
.Remove substances that contain oils

and moisturizers tapes will not

stick well if skin is oily and contains
moisturizers like lotions.

If the skin is oily please use mild

soap and water to remove excess oil

and pat it dry. Do not rub the
patients skin. Ask the patient if they
put lotion on their skin before
inserting an I.V. Seek permission from
the patient that we need to remove
the lotion and explain its purpose.

Alcohol wipes may be used, but use it

with care. Alcohol causes dryness of

skin. Use sparingly in cleaning the
patients skin.
If using skin prep solution like alcohol

or iodine allow it to dry completely

before applying tape to avoid chemical
injury. It only takes 30 seconds for the
alcohol to e dry on the skin and 2
minutes for the iodine.

2. Minimize touching of the adhesive

Each time the tape touches another
surface, a little of its adhesive gets
used up.
Limit the length of time the tape

strips are exposed to air.

3. Use sufficient pressure to the tape

The skin has hills and valleys. That is
why, it is important to apply gentle
firmly stroke to be in contact with more
surface on the skin.
Tape is pressure sensitive. The

technique to adhere the tape on the skin

is rub-down pressure. Place the tape
from center out by rub down pressure.

4. Cover adequate surface area with

the tape
In securing a dressing, have at least
inch or 1 inch tape that adheres on
the patients skin. This decreases the
tendency of rolling the edge of the
tape or accidental removal of
dressing which is very critical for
patients with hemorrhage.

5. Obtain full contact between tape

and skin
The tape should have full contact on
the tubing to avoid moisture
Minimize wrinkles and gaps

Taping Technique Protocol

A.I.V. (Intravenous Line)
Technique: Sterile Technique (one
hand without notch dressing; two
hand with notch dressing)
APPLICATION:
a. Prep the catheter site according to
your facilitys protocol. Let all prep
solutions dry completely.

b. Open the package, remove sterile

dressing
c. Remove the liner from the dressing,
exposing the adhesive surface of the
dressing. Center the transparent portion
of the dressing over the insertion site.
d. Line up the notch in between the port.
Apply the dressing, notch until the base
of the port. Press the transparent
portion of the dressing into place.

e. Pinch the film together under the

catheter. Do not stretch the dressing
during application.
f. While slowly peeling off the paper
frame, smooth down the dressing
edges with your fingertips.
g. Smooth down the dressing from the
center toward the edges by doing
rubdown pressure.
h. Stabilize extensions/ tubings using lift
method, using transparent tape.

Intravenous Tray

U-Method

Chevron

H-Method

Transparent

With notch

Line up the
notch in
between the
port

IV Taping
Technique

Application of
sterile gauze

Additional loop

Application of IV
Tape

Removal
a. Remove any tape strips applied on
top of the dressing.
b. To aid in lifting a dressing edge, use
the documentation label or secure a
piece of medical tape to one corner
and rub firmly.
c. Support the skin and catheter with
your fingers while removing the
dressing.

Low and Slow:

Using the label or tape tab, slowly peel
the dressing from the skin. Fold the
dressing back over itself rather than
pulling it up from the skin. Remove the
dressing from the hub toward the
infection site.
Stretch release:
Grasp one edge of the dressing and
gently pull it straight out to stretch and
release adhesion.

B. NGT (Naso-Gastric
Tube)
a. Adult (age range)

Technique: 2 Split Chevron

Technique
Tape: Silk Tape (Sensitive Skin) or
Cloth
Tape (normal skin)
Size: 1 inch

Application
a. Prep the catheter site according to

your facilitys protocol. Let all prep

solutions dry completely.
b. Cut or tear the tape at least 4 inch in
length.
c. Place untorn portion on the nose.
Gently apply rubdown pressure, to
maximize adhesion. End of the torn
portion must be at the tip of the nose.

d. Adhere first split of tape down the

center of tubing. Fold the end to form
a tab.
e. Wrap second strip around tubing.
Fold the end to form a tab.
f. A reinforcing tape strip may be
applied over the untorn section.

REMOVAL
a. Last to apply, first to remove.
b. Start to unwind the tape from the

tube (2nd wrap).

c. Remove the tape placed straight on
the tube. Spread the edge then peel
until the tube is free from the tape.

d. Using one of the peeled tapes, stick

it on the edge of the untorn portion
(middle) to lift the edge.
e. Remove the tape on the tip of the
nose, downwards low and slow as you
support the skin.

b. PEDIA (age range)

Technique: 2 Split Chevron
Tape: (Recommended: Silk Tape or
High Adhesion Paper Tape
Hypoallergenic and gentle feature
Size: inch

a. Prep the catheter site according to

your facilitys protocol. Let all prep

solutions dry completely.
b. Cut or tear the tape at least 1-2 inch
in length.
c. Split tape lengthwise into two
sections, leaving an untorn section
at the top (1/2 inch)

d. Firmly adhere first split of tape

down the center of tubing. Fold the
end to form a tab.
e. Wrap second strip around tubing.
f. A reinforcing tape strip may be
applied over the untorn section.

c. ET (Endotracheal Tube)
a. Adult (age range)

Technique: 2 Split Chevron

Technique
Tape: Silk Tape or Cloth Tape
Size: 1 inch

APPLICATION
a. Prep the catheter site according to

your facilitys protocol. Let all prep

solutions dry completely.
b. Cut or tear a 6 inch tape (length)
c. Split tape lengthwise into two
sections, leaving an untorn section
of 3 inch.

d. Firmly adhere the untorn portion on the

corner of the mouth where the ET tube is.
Apply rubdown pressure to maximize
adhesion.
e. Place the split tape portion on the upper
lip/lower lip (alternating sites, depending
on the patients oral-skin status). Form a
tab at the edge of the tape.
f. Wrap second strip around tubing-3 loops.
Form a tab at the edge of the tape.

REMOVAL
a. Last to apply first to remove
b. Lift the tape from the upper or lower lip,

low and slow considering the hair

growth
c. Using the removed tape, stick it to the
edge of the untorn portion to lift the
edge. Remove it low and slow following
the direction of the hair growth.
d. Remove the tape looped from the tube
gently.

b. PEDIA (age range)

Technique: 2 Split Chevron
Tape: (Recommended: Silk Tape or
High Adhesion Paper Tape
Hypoallergenic and gentle feature)
Size: 1 inch

APPLICATION
a. Prep the catheter site according to

your facilitys protocol. Let all prep

solutions dry completely.
b. Cut or tear the tape at least 2-3 inch
in length.
c. Split tape lengthwise into two
sections, leaving an untorn section.
(1 inch)

d. Firmly adhere the untorn portion on

the corner of the mouth where the ET
tube is.
e. Place the split tape portion on the
upper lip. Form a tab at the edge of
the tape.
f. Wrap second strip around tubing.
Form a tab at the edge of the tape.

REMOVAL
a. Last to apply first to remove.
b. Lift the tape from the upper or lower lip,

low and slow considering the hair growth.

c. Using the removed tape, stick it to the
edge of the untorn portion to lift the edge.
Remove it low and slow following the
direction of the hair growth.
d. Remove the tape looped from the tube
gently.

d. Dressing
Tape: Stretchable Tape
a. When compression is needed:

Compression should come from

multiple layers of the dressing
material.

a. Place first section of tape without

tension onto skin on one side of the

dressing.
b. With one hand, secure tape on one
edge of the dressing, while slightly
stretching next section of tape over
the dressing.
c. Secure tape on opposite edge of the
dressing
d. Press remaining tape onto skin
without tension.

APPLICATION
a. Prep the catheter site according to

your facilitys protocol. Let all prep

solutions dry completely.
b. Choose the desired type of tape
(paper or cloth), cut or tear
appropriate size.
c. Cut or tear suitable length. Make
sure to have at least inch to 1 inch
border when applying the dressing.

d. Form a tab (considering direction of

the hair growth). Lay one side, apply
rub down pressure then do the same
with the other side. Avoid stretching
the tape and putting pressure.
Ensure theres a complete seal on the
dressing. If theres a need to overlap
tapes, inch overlap is
recommended.

e. Drains
Tape: Stretchable tape, Silk Tape or
Cloth Tape

APPLICATION
a. Prep the catheter site according to

your facilitys protocol. Let all prep

solutions dry completely.
b. Split 4x4 sterile gauze and place
one around the drain.

c. Place the second gauze with slit around

the drain, opposite side.
d. Split a 2 inch cloth tape and place one
around the drain securing both the drain
and the gauze. Repeat on the opposite
side.
e. Cut or tear 4 inch of the same tape to
serve as a platform, form a tab at the
edge (where the hair growth direction is).
Apply with rubdown pressure.
f. Cut or tear 3 inch tape. Perform lift
method as you secure the drain tube.

Removal
a. Remove any tape strips applied to the

tip of the dressing toward the drain site.

b. Separate the tape splits as you release
the drain and the dressing.
c. Repeat on the opposite side.
d. Avoid skin trauma by peeling the
dressing back on itself, rather than
pulling it up from the skin. Consider hair
growth. Remove the tape low and slow
as you support the skin

f. Foley Catheter
Tape: Silk Tape or Cloth Tape

APPLICATION
a. Prep the catheter site according to

your facilitys protocol. Let all prep

solutions dry completely.
b. Cut or tear 4 inch tape (length)

c. Form a tab. Place it on the area

where you need to anchor the
catheter. Apply rubdown pressure to
optimize adhesion.
d. Cut or tape 3 inch tape (length). Form
a tab. Lay one side on top of the
platform. Form a lift as you tape the
catheter (roll to the other side then
seal) then lay the remaining side.
Apply rubdown pressure on both sides.

REMOVAL
a. Last to apply first to remove
b. Remove the tape on top of the

platform. Start from one side the

proceed to the next one.
c. Lift the tab (side where the hair
growth is) then remove the tape low
and slow towards the hair growth
while supporting the skin.

Tape it..
Tape it.