M8: 4 Flashcards
How often do lymphedema garments need to be replaced?
Every 6 months or sooner if it’s stretched
Compression garments: prophylactic use
- air travel
- other periods of prolonged immobility or pressure change
CDT precautions and relative contraindications
- acute infections
- uncontrolled asthma
- cardiac edema
- malignancy
- acute bronchitis
- renal insufficiency
- HTN
- hx of cancer tx
- sx of lymphedema worsen during tx phase
- pt’s health declines
Bandaging precautions and relative contraindications
- LE arterial dz
- acute infection (think cellulitis)
- HTN
- paralysis
- DM
- asthma
- malignant lymphedema
- cor pulmonale
Why is a mechanical compression pump unlikely to provide lasting improvement for lymphedema?
- Only squeezes water out, not protein
2. Stops at edge of sleeve, leaving a buildup there instead of flushing it out completely
Who might be appropriate for mechanical compression?
Someone who
- can’t or won’t tolerate lymphedema bandaging
- has minimal fibrotic changes to subcutaneous tissues
- can’t come daily for tx
What are the specific guidelines for applying mechanical compression?
- start at 20 mmHg » 45 (don’t exceed 45)
- compression cycle: 30 s
- rest cycle: 5s (UE), 10s (LE)
- tx time: start at 20 mins (if no complications, add 10m per day up to 1 hour
What is prospective surveillance?
- preventative tx
- monitoring side effects that can occur with these tx
- prepare to avoid those situations
- trying to detect problems at the earlier stage
How is prospective surveillance different/better than traditional approaches to tx of cancer-tx complications?
- costs lest
- more traditional approach is curative, or reactive
Things to instruct a pt on with lymphedema prevention?
- skin care (avoid trauma to reduce infection risk)
- activity/lifestyle
- avoid limb constriction
- compression garments
- temperature extremes
