Lymphatic Examination

Question 1

What are the steps involved in the Lymphatic examination?

Answer 1

Vital signs
Blood pressure
Observation
Palpation of lymph nodes

Question 2

What do we access with vital signs?

Answer 2

Access pulse at : Wrist (radial artery), Neck (Carotid artery)
Breathing (BPM)
Temperature

Question 3

What is the process of blood pressure?

Answer 3

Find estimation of systole?(Osculatory gap)
Place bell over artery to the estimated range
Very slowly release until you can hear heart beat = systole Keep slowly releasing and when the heart rate can’t be heard = diastole

Question 4

What is involved in the observation in the lymphatic examination?

Answer 4

Observe;
Skin
Limb size and symmetry

Question 5

What are we looking for in the observation of the skin?

Answer 5

Fine red lines (may indicate inflammation of lymphatic vessels, e.g infection)

Question 6

What are we looking for in limb size and symmetry?

Answer 6

Looking for any limb oedema (large limb may be due to lymphatic obstruction)

Question 7

What is involved in the palpation of lymph nodes?

Answer 7

Palpating lymph nodes and note characteristics

Question 8

What lymph nodes are we palpating?

Answer 8

Right supraclavicular
Left supraclavicular
Epitrochlear
Femoral (horizontal & vertical groups),
Axillary

Question 9

What are the characteristics of lymph nodes we are noting?

Answer 9

Size
Consistency
Tenderness
Mobility
Warmth
Matting

Question 10

Where do the lymph nodes drain to/from?

Answer 10

Supraclavicular lymph nodes - Drains the mid section of the chest, oesophagus and lungs

Epitrochlear lymph nodes - Drains the hand, forearm and elbow region.

Femoral lymph nodes - Drains the lower limbs and pelvic region

Axillary lymph nodes - Drains the breast, arm and upper abdominal wall