Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Seek emergency medical help for trouble breathing, fainting, severe weakness, bleeding that does not stop with firm pressure, or rapidly increasing swelling in the neck.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Contact your healthcare team promptly if you develop:
Increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or drainage from the wound
Fever or worsening pain after initial improvement
Bleeding that returns or soaks through the dressing
A wound that opens
New numbness, weakness, or swelling near the biopsy area
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
These are not routine recovery symptoms.
Questions about dressing changes, stitches, activity, or expected soreness can usually wait for routine office hours.
And for anyone, someone who:
has noticed a lump, a mole that has changed, or unexplained weight loss
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Lymph node biopsy. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.