NR 304 EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE VERSION 2
Peripheral Vascular System & Lymphatic System
1. What are the functions of the lymph system? (immune circulation, lipid absorption,
fluid exchange)
2. Where is the lymph system located? (systemic through the body)
3. How is lymph fluid moved around in the body? (muscle contractions)
4. Is it faster or slower than your blood circulation? (slower)
5. What is in lymph? (circulatory fluid, consists of water, proteins[albumin],
lymphocytes & antigen presenting cells)
6. What are the clinical manifestations of an enlarged lymph node due to infection?
(large, mobile, tender, painful)
7. What are the clinical manifestations of an enlarged lymph node that is malignant?
(hard, immobile, not painful)
8. *If you do find enlarged lymph nodes, what is your next assessment? Why? (check
for infections
a. What questions would you ask this patient?
9. What are the functions of the following lymph nodes? What areas do they drain?
a. Cervical lymph nodes: (head & neck)
b. Inguinal lymph nodes: (most lymph in lower extremities, anterior abdominal
wall)
c. Epitrochlear lymph node: (hands and lower arms)
10.Is it normal to a child’s lymph nodes to be large and palpable? (Yes)
11.How is the lymph system and nonpitting (brawny) edema related? (brawny edema
is caused by a lymphatic obstruction)
12.What is lymphedema? (high-protein swelling of the limb)
, a. What causes it? (breast cancer treatment, removal of lymph nodes)
b. What are the clinical manifestations? (brawny edema, unilateral swelling)
13.Describe the following terms and describe when each could happen:
a. Hepatomegaly (enlarged liver; portal obstruction)
b. Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen; mononucleosis, trauma, portal
hypertension, HIV)
i. If you palpate an enlarged spleen and it might be ruptured, do you
continue palpating?
1. No, no, and a even bigger no. – why not?
14.What is the function of the spleen? (lymphatic organ, recycles RBC, stores
platelets)
a. Can you normally palpate it? (nope, must enlarge 3x to feel)
15.Define arteries:
a. What are their functions? (move blood away from heart into systemic tissue)
b. Is it a high or low pressure system? (high)
c. Are they strong and durable or weak and fragile? Why? (strong, have a
muscular layer and elastic fibers)
d. Why do they recoil? (elastic fibers, help move blood like a wave)
e. Do arteries produce pulses? (yes)^
f. What are the major arteries in the legs and arms?
i. (arm: brachial, radial, ulnar. Leg: femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial)
g. How would you describe the sound of arterial blood flow? (
h. What do you assess for if you feel a unilateral weak pulse on assessment (ex.
brachial pulse)
i. Answer: Assess for bruit
ii. How would you describe a bruit? (swishy)
Peripheral Vascular System & Lymphatic System
1. What are the functions of the lymph system? (immune circulation, lipid absorption,
fluid exchange)
2. Where is the lymph system located? (systemic through the body)
3. How is lymph fluid moved around in the body? (muscle contractions)
4. Is it faster or slower than your blood circulation? (slower)
5. What is in lymph? (circulatory fluid, consists of water, proteins[albumin],
lymphocytes & antigen presenting cells)
6. What are the clinical manifestations of an enlarged lymph node due to infection?
(large, mobile, tender, painful)
7. What are the clinical manifestations of an enlarged lymph node that is malignant?
(hard, immobile, not painful)
8. *If you do find enlarged lymph nodes, what is your next assessment? Why? (check
for infections
a. What questions would you ask this patient?
9. What are the functions of the following lymph nodes? What areas do they drain?
a. Cervical lymph nodes: (head & neck)
b. Inguinal lymph nodes: (most lymph in lower extremities, anterior abdominal
wall)
c. Epitrochlear lymph node: (hands and lower arms)
10.Is it normal to a child’s lymph nodes to be large and palpable? (Yes)
11.How is the lymph system and nonpitting (brawny) edema related? (brawny edema
is caused by a lymphatic obstruction)
12.What is lymphedema? (high-protein swelling of the limb)
, a. What causes it? (breast cancer treatment, removal of lymph nodes)
b. What are the clinical manifestations? (brawny edema, unilateral swelling)
13.Describe the following terms and describe when each could happen:
a. Hepatomegaly (enlarged liver; portal obstruction)
b. Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen; mononucleosis, trauma, portal
hypertension, HIV)
i. If you palpate an enlarged spleen and it might be ruptured, do you
continue palpating?
1. No, no, and a even bigger no. – why not?
14.What is the function of the spleen? (lymphatic organ, recycles RBC, stores
platelets)
a. Can you normally palpate it? (nope, must enlarge 3x to feel)
15.Define arteries:
a. What are their functions? (move blood away from heart into systemic tissue)
b. Is it a high or low pressure system? (high)
c. Are they strong and durable or weak and fragile? Why? (strong, have a
muscular layer and elastic fibers)
d. Why do they recoil? (elastic fibers, help move blood like a wave)
e. Do arteries produce pulses? (yes)^
f. What are the major arteries in the legs and arms?
i. (arm: brachial, radial, ulnar. Leg: femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial)
g. How would you describe the sound of arterial blood flow? (
h. What do you assess for if you feel a unilateral weak pulse on assessment (ex.
brachial pulse)
i. Answer: Assess for bruit
ii. How would you describe a bruit? (swishy)
