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Complete Decongestive Therapy & Patient Self-Care Flashcards

6 cards from real CLT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 Complete Decongestive Therapy & Patient Self-Care flashcards as text

  1. Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) consists of how many primary components?

    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.

  2. The intensive (Phase I) of CDT is typically conducted for how long?

    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.

  3. The maintenance (Phase II) of CDT is the patient's lifelong responsibility and involves what primary regimen?

    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.

  4. Which type of exercise is specifically recommended during the intensive CDT phase with compression bandaging in place?

    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.

  5. Skin care in CDT for lymphedema patients focuses on maintaining skin pH at what level and using what type of products?

    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.

  6. A patient with lower extremity lymphedema asks if they can take a hot tub bath. What is the correct guidance?

    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.