Complete Decongestive Therapy & Compression Bandaging Flashcards

Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) consists of which four components?

Answer: MLD, compression bandaging, therapeutic exercise, and meticulous skin/nail care

CDT combines MLD, multilayer compression bandaging, decongestive exercises, and meticulous skin and nail care as the gold-standard lymphedema treatment.

The two phases of CDT are:

Answer: Intensive (Phase I) and maintenance (Phase II) phases

CDT Phase I (intensive) involves frequent clinic visits for active decongestion, and Phase II (maintenance) focuses on self-management to maintain gains.

Short-stretch bandages are preferred over long-stretch bandages in lymphedema because they:

Answer: Create high working pressure during movement and low resting pressure at rest

Short-stretch bandages provide high working pressure during muscle contraction (boosting lymphatic pumping) and low resting pressure when still, preventing tourniquet effects.

What is the purpose of foam padding used under compression bandages?

Answer: To protect bony prominences and soften fibrotic tissue

Foam padding protects bony prominences from pressure injury and provides targeted compression to help soften fibrotic and indurated tissue areas.

The ideal compression gradient in multilayer bandaging should be:

Answer: Highest distally, decreasing proximally

Compression bandaging should have the highest pressure at the distal limb decreasing toward the proximal end to support lymphatic return toward the trunk.

Stockinette is applied as the first layer in multilayer compression bandaging to:

Answer: Protect the skin and absorb perspiration

Stockinette forms a protective skin interface layer that absorbs moisture and prevents friction between subsequent bandage layers and the skin.