ACOLS Written Test Flashcards

General Medical Terminology

• General: Refers to conditions such as Acute Bronchitis, Renal Disease, Acute Infection, DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis), and Chronic Edema.
• Compression: Linked to conditions like Cardiac Edema, Arterial Disease, Spasticity, and Acute Infection.
• Neck: Associated with issues such as Hyperthyroidism, Carotid Endoarterectomy, CVA (Cerebrovascular Accident), Cardiac Arrhythmia, and Carotid Sinus Syndrome.
• Abdominal: Indicates a variety of conditions including Diverticulitis, Diverticulosis, Ileus, intestinal inflammation, recent surgeries, CHF (Congestive Heart Failure), and pregnancy-related issues.

Lymphatic System

• Anastomoses: Includes connections such as AAA (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm), AII (Aortic Iliac), AI/IA (Aortic Internal/External), PAA (Popliteal Artery Aneurysm), and PII (Pelvic Internal Iliac).
• Primary Lymphedema: Caused by malformation or dysplasia of the lymphatic system.
• Secondary Lymphedema: Triggered by known insults to the lymphatic system, often following a latency stage.

Key Processes in Circulation

• Filtration: Movement of solution through a filter or semi-permeable membrane; analogous to coffee grounds filtration.
• Reabsorption: Process where water is taken back from tissues to the venous end of capillaries.
• Effects of Compression: Reduces filtration, increases reabsorption, enhances muscle and joint pump efficiency, prevents fluid re-accumulation post-Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), breaks down scar tissue, and supports elastic tissue.

Pre-Capillary Sphincter Function

• Function: Smooth muscle controlled by the sympathetic portion of the ANS; regulates blood flow in capillaries.
• Contraction: Leads to reduced blood inflow into capillaries, decreasing Blood Capillary Pressure (BCP).
• Dilation: Results in increased blood inflow, raising BCP and expanding capillary volume.

Stages of Lymphedema

• Stage 0: Latency stage, no swelling, but mechanical insufficiency present.
• Stage 1: Reversible swelling with pitting observed, indicating mechanical insufficiency.
• Stage 2: Spontaneously irreversible; presents with fibrosis and frequent infections.
• Stage 3: Characterized by lymphatic elephantiasis, pronounced fibrosis, deepened skin folds, and significant limb volume increase.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)

• CVI Stage 0: Sub-clinical stage with venous pooling; possible varicosities but no swelling if lymphatic system compensates.
• CVI Stage 1: Swelling at day’s end, lymphatic system safety factors activated, some pitting observed.
• CVI Stage 2: Features diseased lymphatic vessels, subnormal total compliance with signs of hemosiderin staining.
• CVI Stage 3: Similar to Stage 2, but now includes ulcerations with 85% of wounds being venous.

Lymphatic Pathways

• Inguinal Lymph Nodes Pathway: From inguinal nodes to pelvic nodes, then to lumbar nodes, through lumbar trunk and cisterna chyli to thoracic duct, finally reaching the left venous angle.
• Fat Pathway: Transport occurs from the small intestines through the GI trunk to the cisterna chyli, then to the thoracic duct and left venous angle.
• Lymph Fluid Pathway: Includes the right and left lumbar trunks and GI trunk, advancing to cisterna chyli and thoracic duct before reaching the left venous angle.
• Cisterna Chyli Location: Found anterior to vertebrae T11-L2.