Answer
Mrs Jackson's signs and symptoms after radical mastectomy are not unusual. Her pain may be dude to damage of small nerves secondary to lymph node removal. The pain will subside with appropriate analgesic therapy. The swelling of her arm is due to interstitial fluid/serous fluid accumulation. Dependent on the situation fluid pay be removed by tubes and/or aspiration. This should be followed up as necessary by application of a compression sleeve (and glove as necessary) to her left arm.
Work Step by Step
` The pressure applied by the elastic tissue of the compression sleeve will increase hydrostatic pressure of any ISF in the area, and improve venous return. In addition, the sleeve will increase the fluid pressure in the spared lymphatic vessels. This will improve the ability of these lymphatics to take on the extra drainage load formerly carried by the lymphatics that were removed. The consequences of the improved drainage should be decrease in accumulation of ISF, and diminution of the swelling and gradual disappearance of pain symptoms.
