The lymphatic system protects the body from infection and maintains fluid balance. It includes lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, the spleen, thymus, and bone marrow. The lymphatic system helps large molecules like hormones enter the blood, returns fluid to the heart, and aids immune surveillance. To assess the lymphatic system, a nurse inspects for visible abnormalities like swelling or redness. They also palpate lymph nodes to check for enlargement, tenderness, temperature, and mobility. Abnormal findings should be reported promptly to the healthcare provider.

1. Lymphatic
System
Gwyneth Sophia L. Provido NCM101-9203

2. LYMPHATIC SYSTEM OVERVIEW
• The Lymphatic system
is a group of organs,
vessels and tissues that
protect you
infection and
from
keep a
healthy balance of
fluids throughout your
body.

3. PARTS OF THE LYMPHATIC
SYSTEM
• This system includes the bone
marrow, spleen, thymus, lymph
nodes, and lymphatic vessels
PURPOSE OF THE LYMPHATIC
SYSTEM
1. Return fluid to the heart
2. Helps large molecules enter the
blood e.g. hormones and lipids
3. Immune surveillance

4. MATERIALS
• Tape measure
• Tongue depressor
• Penlight
• Washable markers

5. BEFORE THE ASSESSMENT:
• Ensure your client is in a comfortable position
• Your hands are warm.
• The temperature in the room is comfortable.
• Provide privacy by closing the door and curtains, properly
draping your client, and only exposing areas of their body as
needed to perform your examination.
• Explain the procedure to your client and be sure to answer any
questions they have before obtaining verbal consent.

6. METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Inspection Palpation

7. METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Inspection
• Typically, you are not able to visualize lymph nodes or the lymph
system.
• Visible abnormalities of the lymphatic system usually fall into one of
three categories: lymphadenopathy, lymphangitis, lymphedema.
• Start with the head and neck and move downward, inspecting each
area of the body for visible lymph nodes, swelling, and redness.
• Using a tongue depressor and pen light, inspect the tonsils and
adenoids inside the oropharynx, noting their size, color, and shape.
Both structures should be pink and symmetrical with an irregular
surface.

8. VISIBLE ABNORMALITIES
Lymphadenopathy Lymphangitis Lymphedema

12. METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Inspection Palpation

13. METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Palpation
• Start with the head and neck
and move downward,
sequentially, from the head, to
the neck, and then to the
upper and lower extremities.
• Palpate with light pressure
using the pads of the fingers to
find superficial nodes and then
gradually increase pressure to
detect deeper nodes.

14. METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Palpation
• During palpation, feel for
temperature, enlargement,
firmness, tenderness, and
mobility of the lymph
nodes.
• Remember that in healthy
adult clients, lymph nodes can
range from 0.5 to 1 cm, and
it's normal not to feel any
superficial lymph nodes.

15. METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Palpation
• If you do feel a lymph node, it should feel soft, mobile, non-tender, and equal
bilaterally.
• If you find enlarged lymph nodes, check for other abnormalities such as a
node that’s firm, fixed or non-movable, tender, or asymmetric. Continue to
explore the surrounding tissue for signs of infection or inflammation like redness,
warmth, or a nearby wound which could be the source of an enlarged lymph
node.

16. PALPATE THE SPLEEN FOR
ENLARGEMENT
• To do this, you’ll stand on your client’s right
side and put your left hand under them,
touching the costovertebral angle, and then
press upwards. Next, put the palm of your
right hand on your client’s abdomen below
the left costal margin. Press your fingers
inward towards the spleen and ask them to
take a deep breath.
• Normally, the spleen is not palpable, so if
you feel it, it’s probably enlarged,

17. OTHER LYMPHATIC SYSTEM DISORDER
Hodgkin's lymphoma Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) Splenomegaly

18. CONCLUSION
• As the nurse, it’s your responsibility to correctly assess,
interpret, report, and document your findings. If your
assessment reveals something that’s potentially abnormal or
emergent, such as a painless, enlarged, non-movable lymph
node, you should report this immediately to the health care
provider, while monitoring client progress and changes from
baseline.

19. THANK YOU!