CLT Manual Lymphatic Drainage Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The 'pump technique' in MLD is most appropriately used on which body region?
- Neck and face
- Limbs (arms and legs) (Correct answer)
- Abdomen
- Thorax/chest
Correct answer: Limbs (arms and legs)
The pump technique uses an alternating oval stretch motion and is best suited to cylindrical body segments such as the arms and legs.
Question 2: What is the recommended duration for a full MLD treatment session for a patient with lower extremity lymphedema?
- 15–20 minutes
- 45–60 minutes (Correct answer)
- 90–120 minutes
- 5–10 minutes
Correct answer: 45–60 minutes
A complete MLD treatment typically lasts 45–60 minutes, allowing sufficient time to address the neck, trunk, and full extremity in sequence.
Question 3: Which MLD maneuver is specifically designed to stimulate lymph flow across the watershed lines of the trunk?
- Stationary circles over inguinal nodes
- Axillo-axillary anastomosis technique (Correct answer)
- Pump technique over the thigh
- Rotary technique on the face
Correct answer: Axillo-axillary anastomosis technique
The axillo-axillary anastomosis technique redirects lymph across the trunk midline from the affected side to the healthy contralateral axilla.
Question 4: The scoop technique in MLD is most commonly applied to which area?
- Dorsum of the hand or foot (Correct answer)
- Posterior neck
- Anterior thigh
- Chest wall
Correct answer: Dorsum of the hand or foot
The scoop technique uses a finger-leading scooping motion and is particularly effective on flat areas like the dorsum of the hand or foot.
Question 5: In treating post-mastectomy lymphedema of the arm, which alternative drainage route is most commonly used?
- Axillo-inguinal pathway via the trunk (Correct answer)
- Elbow to wrist pathway
- Lymphovenous anastomosis in the hand
- Cubital fossa to neck pathway
Correct answer: Axillo-inguinal pathway via the trunk
When axillary nodes are removed or damaged, the axillo-inguinal pathway reroutes arm lymph down the lateral trunk to the ipsilateral inguinal nodes.
Question 6: How many times is each MLD stroke typically repeated over the same skin area before moving to the next area?
- 1–2 times
- 5–7 times (Correct answer)
- 10–12 times
- 15–20 times
Correct answer: 5–7 times
Each MLD stroke is repeated approximately 5–7 times per area to adequately stimulate the lymphangion contraction response before moving distally.
CLT Manual Lymphatic Drainage Techniques 2
The 'pump technique' in MLD is most appropriately used on which body region?