Assess the lymphatic limb in the context of the skilled reason and document the judgment:
The affected limb: edema (girth/measurement versus prior, pitting vs non-pitting/fibrotic), skin integrity and quality (thickening, breakdown, weeping), and the compression order and tolerance.
Signs of cellulitis/infection in the limb (spreading erythema, warmth, tenderness, streaking, fever) — the key complication.
For post-node-dissection care: the surgical site, any drain, and limb function; and limb-protection measures (no BP/venipuncture in an at-risk arm).
MDS-supportive data
Lymphedema/lymphatic diagnoses or recent node dissection are coded in MDS Section I, and skin breakdown in Section M. The record must document the limb assessment, measurement, and compression/skin care so the MDS is supported.
