CLT Complete Decongestive Therapy & Patient Self-Care 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) consists of how many primary components?
- Two: MLD and compression garments
- Three: MLD, compression, and exercise
- Four: MLD, compression bandaging, remedial exercise, and skin/nail care (Correct answer)
- Five: MLD, compression, exercise, diet, and surgery
Correct answer: Four: MLD, compression bandaging, remedial exercise, and skin/nail care
CDT comprises four essential components: Manual Lymphatic Drainage, multi-layer compression bandaging, remedial exercise, and meticulous skin and nail care.
Question 2: The intensive (Phase I) of CDT is typically conducted for how long?
- 1–3 days
- 2–4 weeks of daily treatment (Correct answer)
- 3–6 months
- One single session
Correct answer: 2–4 weeks of daily treatment
The intensive CDT phase usually involves daily MLD and compression bandaging for 2–4 weeks until maximum volume reduction is achieved and the patient is fitted for a compression garment.
Question 3: The maintenance (Phase II) of CDT is the patient's lifelong responsibility and involves what primary regimen?
- Weekly professional MLD sessions only
- Daily self-MLD, compression garment wear, exercise, and skin care (Correct answer)
- Compression garment wear only — no other interventions needed
- Surgical lymph node transplant
Correct answer: Daily self-MLD, compression garment wear, exercise, and skin care
Phase II is lifelong self-management including daily self-MLD, daytime compression garment wear, therapeutic exercise, and skin hygiene to prevent flare-ups.
Question 4: Which type of exercise is specifically recommended during the intensive CDT phase with compression bandaging in place?
- High-impact aerobics
- Heavy weightlifting
- Remedial exercises — gentle, repetitive, rhythmic limb movements (Correct answer)
- Complete bed rest — no exercise until bandaging is removed
Correct answer: Remedial exercises — gentle, repetitive, rhythmic limb movements
Gentle remedial exercises such as ankle pumps, knee bends, and shoulder rolls activate muscle pumps against the compression bandaging, greatly enhancing lymph propulsion.
Question 5: Skin care in CDT for lymphedema patients focuses on maintaining skin pH at what level and using what type of products?
- Alkaline pH (8–9) with antibacterial soaps
- Slightly acidic pH (5–5.5) with low-pH moisturizers and gentle cleansers (Correct answer)
- Neutral pH (7) with standard hospital-grade soap
- pH is irrelevant — any moisturizer is acceptable
Correct answer: Slightly acidic pH (5–5.5) with low-pH moisturizers and gentle cleansers
The skin's acid mantle (pH 5–5.5) defends against bacterial and fungal colonization; maintaining it with appropriate products reduces infection risk in the at-risk lymphedema limb.
Question 6: A patient with lower extremity lymphedema asks if they can take a hot tub bath. What is the correct guidance?
- Hot baths are encouraged to improve circulation
- Avoid prolonged heat exposure as it increases capillary filtration and can worsen swelling (Correct answer)
- Heat has no effect on lymphedema
- Hot tubs specifically help MLD effectiveness the following day
Correct answer: Avoid prolonged heat exposure as it increases capillary filtration and can worsen swelling
Prolonged heat exposure causes vasodilation and increased capillary filtration, overwhelming the compromised lymphatic system and worsening edema.
CLT Complete Decongestive Therapy & Patient Self-Care 1
Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) consists of how many primary components?