Lymphatic System

Question 1

Lymph contains:

and its function is:

Answer 1

Interstitial fluid, WBC and proteins. It collects cell debris and bacteria, removes excess fluid, blood and protein.

Question 2

The pathway for lymph is as follows:

Answer 2

Right lymphatic duct trains the right arm, right side of the head and right side of the thorax into the (R) subclavian v. The rest of the body drains into the thoracic duct and empties into the (L) subclavian v.

Question 3

Lymphedema

Answer 3

Swelling int he arm or leg due to blockage in the lymphatic system preventing fluid from draining. Cannot be cured.
feeling of heaviness/fullness, edema, aching pain, discoloration, hyperplasia. Papillomatosis, deformity.

Question 4

Lymphoma

Answer 4

Cancer in the lymphatic system. Enlarged lymph nodes, fevers, sweats, itchiness, weight loss, fatigue.

Question 5

Lymphocytosis

Answer 5

Increase in WBC. Part of infection but also arises with lymphoma. Only detected by blood count.

Question 6

Manual lymph drainage

Answer 6

Uses massage to decrease edema from extremity. Upper extremity first then lower extremity. Proximal then distal then massage distal to proximal.

Question 7

Complete decongestive therapy

Answer 7

Combination of manual lymphatic drainage, compression garments, education, skincare and exercise. Phase 1: intense acute treatment 4-5 days per week for 4-6 weeks. Bandaging 24 hours per day. Phase two - long term, self mgt. Bandaging at night.

Question 8

Compression bandages

Answer 8

Short stretch compression bandages 15-35mmHg.

Question 9

Intermittent pneumatic compression

Answer 9

Inflatable sleeve attached to a mechanical pump. Fluid return.
Compression>45mmHg may injure lymphatic vessels.

Question 10

What are the signs of lymph overload

Answer 10

Pain in proximal lymph areas, discomfort, discoloration. Result in immediate termination of treatment.

Question 11

Compression of lymph sleeves - Mild lymphodema, moderate lymphodema, severe/fluctuating lymphodema

Answer 11

Mild - 20-30
Moderate 30-40
Severe 40-50

Question 12

What are the stages of Lymphodema

Answer 12

Preclinical - heavy, feeling of fullness, minimal edema
Stage 1 - reversible - fluid accumulation, pitting, reduces with elevation
Stage 2 - Irreversible, fibroblasts, non-pitting, positive stemmers sign
Stage 3 - hardening dermal tissue, papillomas, elephantitis

Question 13

Scale of pitting edema

Answer 13

1+ barely detectable
2+ slight indentation 15 secs
3+ deeper lasting 30 secs
4t deep lasting longer than 30 sec

Question 14

What is lymphatic hypoplasia

Answer 14

Primary lymphodema

Question 15

What are the contraindications for manual lymphatic drainage

Answer 15

Malignancy, cancer
Acute infection
DVT
Renal failure
Cardiac edema