CLT Lymphedema Assessment & Limb Volume Measurement 5

Question 1

A patient presents with bilateral symmetric swelling of the legs that spares the feet, with tenderness and easy bruising. The most likely diagnosis is:

Accepted Answer

Lipedema

Answer

Lipedema causes symmetric painful fat deposition with a 'cuff' at the ankles and typically spares the feet.

Question 2

A patient with stable arm lymphedema develops sudden calf swelling with warmth and tenderness. What should the therapist do?

Accepted Answer

Hold treatment and refer immediately for DVT evaluation

Answer

Acute unilateral painful, warm swelling suggests DVT, which requires urgent medical evaluation before lymphatic treatment.

Question 3

When a patient has bilateral lymphedema, what is the best method for tracking change?

Accepted Answer

Compare each limb to its own baseline measurements over time

Answer

With both limbs affected, the contralateral limb is not a valid control, so serial comparison to baseline is needed.

Question 4

On a 0–4+ pitting edema scale, a pit about 6 mm deep that rebounds in 10–15 seconds is graded as:

Accepted Answer

3+

Answer

Typical scales assign roughly 2 mm to 1+, 4 mm to 2+, 6 mm to 3+ and 8 mm to 4+.

Question 5

Why might a small inter-limb difference be normal in a patient's arms before any surgery?

Accepted Answer

The dominant arm is often slightly larger

Answer

The dominant arm can normally be a few percent larger, which is why pre-op baseline measurements are valuable.

CLT - Certified Lymphatic Therapist Practice Test

CLT - Certified Lymphatic Therapist Practice Test

CLT Lymphedema Assessment & Limb Volume Measurement 5