CLT Complete Decongestive Therapy & Compression Bandaging 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) consists of which four components?
- MLD, heat therapy, exercise, compression
- MLD, compression bandaging, therapeutic exercise, and meticulous skin/nail care (Correct answer)
- MLD, surgery, compression garments, diuretics
- Massage, bandaging, nutrition, and rest
Correct 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.
Question 2: The two phases of CDT are:
- Acute and chronic phases
- Intensive (Phase I) and maintenance (Phase II) phases (Correct answer)
- Inpatient and outpatient phases
- Diagnostic and therapeutic phases
Correct 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.
Question 3: Short-stretch bandages are preferred over long-stretch bandages in lymphedema because they:
- Are more comfortable for the patient
- Create high working pressure during movement and low resting pressure at rest (Correct answer)
- Are less expensive and easier to apply
- Can be worn during MLD treatments
Correct 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.
Question 4: What is the purpose of foam padding used under compression bandages?
- To increase overall bandage pressure
- To protect bony prominences and soften fibrotic tissue (Correct answer)
- To absorb excess lymph fluid
- To prevent bandage slippage during activity
Correct 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.
Question 5: The ideal compression gradient in multilayer bandaging should be:
- Uniform pressure throughout the limb
- Highest proximally, decreasing distally
- Highest distally, decreasing proximally (Correct answer)
- Variable depending on patient comfort
Correct 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.
Question 6: Stockinette is applied as the first layer in multilayer compression bandaging to:
- Increase compression pressure
- Protect the skin and absorb perspiration (Correct answer)
- Prevent infection
- Mark the bandage layers
Correct 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.
CLT Complete Decongestive Therapy & Compression Bandaging 1
Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) consists of which four components?