CLT Complete Decongestive Therapy & Patient Self-Care 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What role do aquatic/hydrotherapy exercises play in lymphedema management?
- They replace compression garments during exercise
- Hydrostatic pressure and movement in water reduce limb volume and improve lymph flow (Correct answer)
- They are contraindicated in all lymphedema patients
- They only benefit venous edema, not lymphedema
Correct answer: Hydrostatic pressure and movement in water reduce limb volume and improve lymph flow
Water's hydrostatic pressure provides external compression similar to a bandage, and movement in water encourages lymphatic flow, making aquatic exercise highly beneficial.
Question 2: Which dietary recommendation is generally advised for patients with lymphedema to reduce lymphatic load?
- High-fat, high-calorie diet to support tissue healing
- Reduction of dietary sodium and maintenance of healthy body weight (Correct answer)
- High-protein supplementation
- Increase fluid intake to flush the lymphatic system
Correct answer: Reduction of dietary sodium and maintenance of healthy body weight
Reducing sodium intake limits fluid retention, and maintaining a healthy weight reduces the physical burden on the lymphatic system, both helping to control edema.
Question 3: A CLT should advise a breast cancer survivor with arm lymphedema to avoid blood pressure measurements in which arm?
- Either arm — it does not matter
- The affected arm, to avoid compression and potential injury to compromised lymphatics (Correct answer)
- The unaffected arm only
- Blood pressure monitoring is contraindicated entirely
Correct answer: The affected arm, to avoid compression and potential injury to compromised lymphatics
Blood pressure cuffs apply tourniquet-like compression that can injure fragile lymphatic vessels and trigger a flare in the at-risk or affected arm.
Question 4: The National Lymphedema Network (NLN) precautions for at-risk patients include which activity restriction?
- Avoiding all air travel permanently
- Avoiding venipuncture, injections, and blood pressure measurement in the at-risk limb (Correct answer)
- No lifting of any weight with the at-risk arm
- Complete avoidance of aerobic exercise
Correct answer: Avoiding venipuncture, injections, and blood pressure measurement in the at-risk limb
NLN guidelines recommend avoiding procedures that could cause injury, inflammation, or compression in the at-risk limb, including needle sticks and blood pressure cuffs.
Question 5: For patients flying with lymphedema, what compression intervention is recommended?
- No compression is needed as cabin pressure prevents swelling
- Wearing a well-fitted compression garment during the flight and staying hydrated and mobile (Correct answer)
- Applying elastic tape only
- Complete bandaging with multiple layers for every flight
Correct answer: Wearing a well-fitted compression garment during the flight and staying hydrated and mobile
Wearing a compression garment during flights counteracts the effects of reduced cabin pressure and prolonged immobility, which increase edema risk in lymphedema patients.
Question 6: A lymphedema patient notices signs of cellulitis (redness, warmth, fever). The CLT's immediate recommendation should be to do what?
- Increase MLD frequency to help clear the infection
- Seek prompt medical care and start prescribed antibiotics; pause MLD and compression until infection resolves (Correct answer)
- Apply cold compresses and continue treatment
- Apply extra compression layers to contain the infection
Correct answer: Seek prompt medical care and start prescribed antibiotics; pause MLD and compression until infection resolves
Active cellulitis requires antibiotic treatment and temporarily contraindications MLD and compression, which could spread the infection or cause injury to infected tissue.
CLT Complete Decongestive Therapy & Patient Self-Care 2
What role do aquatic/hydrotherapy exercises play in lymphedema management?