Week 6 - Lymphatic System

Question 1

What are some relevant nursing actions?

Answer 1

• Assessment and management of peripheral and sacral oedema
• Fluid balance chart
• Patient weight and girth measurements
• Assessment and management of infection: PPE, aseptic technique, signs of inflammation.

Question 2

List the three functions of the lymphatic system

Answer 2

• Fluid balance (reclaims fluids)
• Immunity
• Absorption and transportation of lipids from villi of jejunum to blood circulation

Question 3

Describe the origin and composition of lymph

Answer 3

Tissue fluid that enters lymphatic capillaries (plasma, plasma proteins etc)

Question 4

Identify factors that assist with the flow of lymph

Answer 4

• Skeletal muscle contraction
• Thoracic pressure changes (breathing)
• Pulsating nearby arteries
• Valves
• Lymphatic vessels contract (smooth muscle) when stretched
• Rapidly flowing blood in subclavian veins draw lymph in

Question 5

Provide examples of where it would be beneficial to slow the flow of lymph

Answer 5

• Limit infection or venom spread
• Immobilise, pressure dressings

Question 6

List the major functions of the ~600 lymph nodes in the body

Answer 6

• Filter lymph (removes 99% of impurities)
• Phagocytosis
• Activation of immune response

Question 6

For each region state whether the lymph will drain into the right lymphatic duct (R) or the left lymphatic duct (L) / thoracic duct

Answer 6

Right hand - Right
Left breast - Left
Right leg - Left
Right breast - Right

Question 7

Seventy percent (70%) of the immune cells in the human body are in the lymphatic tissue of the small intestine and colon. Discuss why you think their placement here is important

Answer 7

• Monitor microorganisms incoming with food and resident microbiota living in the intestine
• Collaboration with microbiota

Question 7

Name the duct draining most of the lymph in the body

Answer 7

Thoracic duct

Question 8

Name four cell types found in the lymph nodes

Answer 8

• Lymphocytes
• Macrophages
• Reticulocytes
• Dendritic

Question 9

Name other lymphatic tissues and organs in the body

Answer 9

• Lymph nodes
• Peyers Patches
• Appendix
• MALT (openings to exterior)

Question 10

List five statements about the lymphatic system

Answer 10

• Returns 15% of tissue fluid back to the blood
• Lymph nodes filter out 99% of impurities (debris, cancer and foreign cells) in lymph
• Lymphocytes and macrophages in the spleen remove impurities from the blood
• Mucosa associated lymphatic tissue (MALT) guards all body openings
• Tonsils contain deep pits (crypts) that trap incoming foreign antigens (pathogens)

Question 11

In summary, the ______ filter the lymph and the ______ filters the blood

Answer 11

Lymph nodes; spleen

Question 11

List five statements about lymph

Answer 11

• Clear fluid drawn into the lymphatic capillaries from the tissues
• Similar factors facilitate the flow of lymph and venous blood
• Lymph stagnates within a lymph node so the immune system can act
• Lymph nodes are structurally boxes of channels lined with leucocytes
• Compression bandages hinder the flow of lymph

Question 12

The surgical removal of lymphatic tissues or organs would increase a patients’ risk of _____.

Answer 12

Infection