×

Quiz Session - Attempts With Random Questions

FSMTB MBLEx Exam Questions

Page 1 of 50

1.

If you notice that a client's alignment is faulty, with deviations in the frontal plane, what are you visually assessing?

  • The client's posture

  • The client's walking pattern

  • The client's basic balance

  • The client's restrictive range of motion

Correct answer: The client's posture

If you notice that a client's alignment is faulty, with deviations in the frontal plane, you are visually assessing the client's posture.

If you notice that the client's gait is smooth and balanced, you are visually assessing the client's walking pattern. If you notice that the client is unable to reach beyond his base of support, you are assessing his balance. If you notice that the client has a difficult time raising his arm and shoulder, you are visually assessing the client's restrictive range of motion.

2.

Which of the following planes of the body divides the body into equal left and right halves, running down the middle of the body?

  • Midsagittal

  • Coronal

  • Transverse

  • Frontal

Correct answer: Midsagittal

The midsagittal plane divides the body into equal left and right halves.

The coronal plane, also known as the frontal plane. divides the body into front and back halves. The transverse plane divides the body into upper and lower halves.

3.

A massage therapist is planning to open her own clinic. She is currently going through the process of making sure the building meets all standards. When designing a bathroom, which of the following are requirements?

  • Hot and cold running water, soap in a covered dispenser

  • Tight-fitting doors, several stalls

  • Soap in any type of dispenser, open-top container for trash

  • Family style bathroom, hot and cold running water

Correct answer: Hot and cold running water, soap in a covered dispenser 

There are several general requirements for a bathroom facility within a massage clinic. These requirements include hot and cold running water, a supply of soap in a covered dispenser, tight-fitting doors, clean rooms, single-use sanitary towels, covered trash can, and toilet paper supply. 

Family-style restrooms are not a requirement for massage clinics, although they are a nice consideration. Several stalls are also not a requirement; the style of a restroom is up to the owner and designer. It is important to have a closed soap dispenser and a covered trash bin to avoid cross-contamination of clean and dirty materials.

4.

An athlete is performing bicep curls with a dumbbell. What type of motion is this?

  • Open chain

  • Closed chain

  • Isometric

  • Close-packed

Correct answer: Open chain

Open kinematic chain movements occur when the distal end of the limb/body moves freely, without causing motion at another joint. During a bicep curl with a dumbbell, the hand and lower arm freely move the elbow into flexion and extension without effecting other joints. Therefore, this exercise is an open chain movement.

Closed kinematic chain movements occur when the proximal portion of the body or body part is moving, and the distal ends are stationary. A push-up, for example, is a closed chain movement because the hands and lower arms remain stationary while the shoulders and elbows move. Isometric actions occur when muscle fibers shorten and pull on a bone, but actual movement is prevented at the joint. The close-packed position of a joint is the position in which the surfaces fit together precisely and with maximum contact; this term does not describe a type of movement.

5.

Which formula is used to calculate net income?

  • Gross income minus expenses

  • Gross income plus expenses

  • Savings minus expenses

  • Savings plus expenses

Correct answer: Gross income minus expenses

The formula used to figure net income is gross income minus expenses. Income consists of client fees, retail sales, and any other money received during regular business operations. Expenses consist of rent, electricity, telephone, water, advertising, office supplies, linen service, credit card charges, taxes/fees, and any other money spent during business operations. 

6.

What is the most accurate term for the windpipe?

  • Trachea

  • Larynx

  • Pharynx

  • Sinus

Correct answer: Trachea

The trachea, also called the windpipe, is located in the lower respiratory tract. The lower respiratory tract includes:

  1. The larynx (voice box), which connects the pharynx to the trachea (windpipe).
  2. The trachea (windpipe), which is the main airway to the lungs, extending from the glottis to the junction of the two main bronchi.
  3. The bronchi and alveoli, which are within the lungs themselves. The bronchi are tubes which branch out from the trachea. They provide a pathway to the alveoli, which are the air sacs where external respiration takes place.

The pharynx is part of the upper respiratory system, and includes the nasopharynx, the oropharynx, and the laryngopharynx.

The sinuses are air-filled spaces located in the skull.

7.

A client tells a therapist that when she was out for a run last week, she rolled her ankle. She now has pain with walking and swelling in the ankle. How should the therapist proceed?

  • Avoid the area for now, continue with massage elsewhere, refer to a physician

  • Emphasize treatment on the area, refer to a physician

  • Continue with normal massage, not necessary to refer to a physician

  • Instruct patient to go to an urgent care facility

Correct answer: Avoid the area for now, continue with massage elsewhere, refer to a physician

This client may have sprained her ankle. All traumatic injuries like this should be evaluated by a physician. It is advisable to continue with massage to other areas and avoid this area until it is fully evaluated. Once it has been evaluated, then RICE, gentle massage, and range of motion exercises can all assist in healing. 

It is best to avoid massaging the area after a traumatic injury until a physician can evaluate it. This injury is not severe enough, however, to have the patient go to an urgent care facility. If the ankle was visibly displaced and the client could not walk on the foot at all, then sending them to urgent care would be appropriate.

8.

Which of the following are examples of Eastern medicine techniques?

  • Ayurveda, polarity therapy, jing luo

  • Muscle energy techniques, polarity therapy, jing luo

  • Acupuncture, jing luo, myofascial techniques

  • Ayurveda, yoga, tai chi

Correct answer: Ayurveda, polarity therapy, jing luo

Ayurveda, polarity therapy, and jing luo are all examples of Eastern medicine techniques. These complex modalities require extensive study.

Muscle energy techniques and myofascial techniques employ the principles of Western medicine.

Yoga and tai chi are not massage modalities.

9.

Varicose veins are caused by a breakdown of the:

  • Valve system of veins

  • Pump system of veins

  • Arterial capillaries

  • Valve system of the arteries

Correct answer: Valve system of veins

Varicose veins are caused by a breakdown of the valve system of the veins. The valve system prevents circulatory backflow, and so keeps blood from pooling in the lower extremities. When a person spends too much time standing, they may develop varicose veins over time. This is a common condition for people who have spent their careers working as restaurant servers, for example.

Veins themselves do not have a pump system; however, the contraction of muscles surrounding veins work as a "muscle pump" to help blood move through veins.

Arteries do not have a valve system since blood travels through them at much higher pressures.

10.

A client expresses her desire to remain modest and that she does not feel comfortable disrobing for a massage intervention. What is the most appropriate solution?

  • Instruct the client to wear loose-fitting shorts and a shirt for the session.

  • Provide the client with a written handout describing the benefits of massage as applied directly to the skin.

  • Provide a demonstration of draping on a colleague.

  • Refuse treatment. 

Correct answer: Instruct the client to wear loose-fitting shorts and a shirt for the session.

The client's comfort is an extremely high priority during the massage. The client must give informed consent to every aspect of massage, both prior to and during each session. If the client prefers not to disrobe, it is the therapist's responsibility to offer appropriate accommodations. By instructing this client to wear loose-fitting clothing, the therapist respects the client's boundaries and further develops client-therapist trust.

It is unethical to attempt to convince the client to disrobe, either by giving them a handout or by providing a demonstration of draping. Refusing treatment is unnecessary, as there are many techniques that will be effective when performed through clothing.

11.

When is a client's consent required for treatment?

  • Before and during every treatment, regardless of body area or draping/clothing

  • Only when working on sensitive areas (the groin, gluteals, etc.)

  • When working with a client who is fully unclothed but draped

  • When working with a client who is nervous about massage

Correct answer: Every treatment, regardless of body area or draping/clothing

Informed consent must always be obtained, regardless of the situation. It does not matter if the client is fully clothed or not, or whether this is their first session or their 100th. Permission for treatment/massage is a necessity.

Informed consent should be obtained when working on sensitive areas as well as when working with a client who is nervous about massage. These options are correct; however, the most correct option is that informed consent should be obtained at every session and every treatment.

12.

Which diarthrotic joint has convex on concave articulation?

  • Saddle joint

  • Ball-and-socket joint

  • Pivot joint

  • Hinge joint

Correct answer: Saddle joint

In saddle joints, each bone has both convex and concave surfaces, resembling a saddle. This configuration allows for flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and minimal rotation. The joint between the wrist and the metacarpal bone of the thumb is an example of this.

In ball-and-socket joints, one bone ends in a spherical head and the other has a round socket. This formation allows free movement in many directions around a central point. The glenohumeral joint in the shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint.

In a pivot joint, one component is shaped like a ring and the other has a rounded end of bone that fits into that ring. This allows the bones to rotate. The atlanto-axial joint, between the first and second vertebrae, is an example of this.

In a hinge joint, the cylindrical end of one bone fits into the trough-shaped surface of another. This structure acts like a door hinge, allowing for flexion and extension in just one plane. Both the elbow and knee are hinge joints. 

13.

Of the following options, what is the most effective way for a massage therapist to expand their client base?

  • Word of mouth

  • Paid social media ads

  • Fliers

  • By working for a chiropractor

Correct answer: Word of mouth

Word of mouth is the most effective way for a therapist to expand their practice. Potential clients are likely to trust their friends' opinions more than any published advertisement. Networking is important for anyone, but especially for providers with a private practice.

Paid social media ads and fliers are other types of marketing. Working for a chiropractor may afford a massage therapist steady income, but it is unlikely to grow the client's personal client base if they ever go into business for themselves. It is considered unethical to take clients with you from another person's practice, and many employees are required to sign contracts affirming that they will not do this.

14.

Which of the following can be light, moderate, deep, or variable?

  • Compressive force

  • Drag

  • Trigger points

  • Holding

Correct answer: Compressive force

Compressive force (or depth of pressure) can be light, moderate, deep, or variable. The massage therapist may choose which level of pressure to use based on the treatment goals.

Drag is the amount of pull or stretch that is placed on the tissue. Because drag refers to force applied in a transverse direction, depth is not an accurate measure of its intensity.

Trigger points may occur deeply or superficially, but they are not described as being light, moderate, or variable.

Holding techniques are static; they can be light, moderate, or deep, but not variable.

15.

A massage therapist has recently begun a new advertising campaign for their business. It emphasizes that they can cure arthritis.

What is a potential issue with this type of advertising?

  • Potential to be mistaken for a medical cure for a disorder

  • Potential to bring in more clients with arthritis

  • Massage therapists should not promote themselves

  • Potential to be considered medical malpractice

Correct answer: Potential to be mistaken for a medical cure for a disorder

Medical treatment is outside a massage therapist's scope of practice. The therapist should not claim the ability to cure a medical condition, as this makes him vulnerable to malpractice lawsuits. In this case, the claim that the therapist can "cure" is false advertising, as arthritis is a condition that can be managed but not cured.

Medical malpractice occurs when harm comes to a client as a result of incompetent care. It is perfectly acceptable for a massage therapist to promote himself using an ad campaign, provided that campaign is implemented ethically. If the therapist is indeed qualified to treat arthritis, their connecting with more patients who have this condition is not a concern.

16.

Muscles are named in a way that describes certain qualities they have. It is common for a muscle name to refer to any or all of the following criteria, except: 

  • Innervation

  • Location

  • Function

  • Size

Correct answer: Innervation 

It is common for a muscle name to refer to its location, function, size, shape, fiber direction, number of heads, and/or points of attachment. Some examples include: 

  • Location: Latissimus dorsi is located on the dorsal (posterior, back) side of the body.
  • Function: Extensor digitorum extends the phalanges (fingers).
  • Shape: The deltoid is shaped like a delta, or triangle.
  • Fiber direction: Rectus femoris is made up of fibers that run vertically (erect).
  • Number of heads: The triceps brachii has three heads.
  • Points of attachment: Sternocleidomastoid attaches to the sternum, the clavicle, and the mastoid process.

Muscle names do not commonly refer to the way in which they are innervated. 

17.

A parent approaches a massage therapist with concern over her child's complaints of growing pains in her lower limbs. What is an appropriate solution?

  • With parental consent and supervision, a 20-minute massage over the lower legs for pain relief

  • With parental consent and supervision, a 75-minute massage over the lower legs for pain relief

  • It is not appropriate to massage children due to hypersensitive nervous system activity.

  • It is not appropriate to massage children for growing pains due to the risk of injury at the growth plates.

Correct answer: With parental consent and supervision, a 20-minute massage over the lower legs for pain relief

Children have shorter attention spans and massage sessions should be limited to one hour or less. Most massage sessions for children are 15–30 minutes in duration. Massage in children is appropriate, and is an organized approach to touch. Massage does provide temporary relief to growing pains. It is essential to obtain informed consent from the parent, and for the parent to remain in the room to supervise the massage.

18.

A massage therapist is seeing a client who has a large scar after a total shoulder replacement. They schedule weekly sessions, during which the therapist uses friction techniques in the effort to improve scar mobility. However, after several weeks, no change has occurred in the tissue.

What is a likely cause of this?

  • The therapist is using massage oil with the technique.

  • The therapist is performing the technique transversely to the scar.

  • The therapist is using the technique with the area stretched.

  • The therapist is using the technique with the area relaxed.

Correct answer: The therapist is using massage oil with the technique.

Friction (especially deep friction) is used when attempting to target and move the tissues deep to the skin. If massage oil is used, the tissues will slide on one another, and the deep tissues will not be affected. Therefore, after weeks of using this technique in this scenario, it is likely the use of massage oil is inhibiting friction's beneficial effects. 

Friction should typically be performed transversely to the scar, so this would not be the cause.

There is currently disagreement about whether using this technique with the tissues stretched or relaxed is best, but benefits have been found for both. Therefore, the technique should be used with the tissues relaxed and stretched.

19.

In medical terminology, which of the following Latin roots refers to the chest?

  • Thorac(o)

  • Therm(o)

  • Ren(o)

  • Phleb(o)

Correct answer: Thorac(o)

The Latin root, or prefix, "thorac(o)" refers to the chest.

The root "ren(o)" refers to the kidneys. "Therm(o)" refers to heat. "Phleb(o)" refers to the veins. 

20.

When draping, what requires special consideration?

  • Chest

  • Arms

  • Legs

  • Hands

Correct answer: Chest

It is essential that the massage therapist ensures modesty and privacy for the client during the massage session. Therefore, special attention should be given to draping for the chest region, especially for female clients. The breasts should never be exposed, unless as part of a specific treatment intervention and with specific consent (such as scar tissue mobilization after treatment or surgery).

×