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Quiz Session - Attempts With Random Questions

AMTA MBLEx (English) Exam Questions

Page 5 of 50

81.

A massage therapist is working with a client who has an overuse injury to the gastrocnemius. Repeated movements in which motion most likely caused this injury?

  • Plantar flexion

  • Dorsiflexion

  • Eversion

  • Inversion

Correct answer: Plantar flexion

Gastrocnemius is the prime mover for plantar flexion. It also concentrically inverts the foot at the ankle joint and flexes the leg at the knee joint. Repeated plantar flexion might result in an overuse injury of the gastrocnemius. 

Tibialis anterior is the prime mover for dorsiflexion. The prime movers for inversion are tibialis anterior and posterior. The prime movers for eversion are peroneus longus, brevis, and tertius. Any of these muscles could sustain an overuse injury for its primary action.

82.

Which of the following principles of guiding ethical behavior describes the concept that the benefit of treatment must outweigh the burden of treatment?

  • Proportionality

  • Veracity

  • Client autonomy

  • Beneficence

Correct answer: Proportionality

Every massage therapist must follow eight principles that guide ethical professional behavior:

  1. Respect: Esteem and regard for clients, colleagues, and oneself.
  2. Client autonomy and self-determination: The client's freedom to decide for themselves, and their right to have sufficient information to give informed consent.
  3. Veracity: The right to objective truth.
  4. Proportionality: The principle that the benefit must outweigh the burden of treatment.
  5. Nonmaleficence: The principle that massage therapists will do no harm and prevent harm from happening.
  6. Beneficence: The principle that treatment should contribute to the client's well-being.
  7. Confidentiality: Respect for the privacy of information.
  8. Justice: Equality.

83.

If a client has been drinking alcohol, you can smell it with your:

  • Olfactory sense

  • Auditory sense

  • Energetic sense

  • Intuitive sense

Correct answer: Olfactory sense

If a client has been drinking alcohol, you can smell it with your olfactory sense. Your olfactory sense allows you to notice a client’s abnormal odors, which may be positive or negative, such as alcohol, cigarette smoke, or a new perfume.

Your auditory sense allows you to hear. Your energetic sense allows you to notice and feel energy. Your intuitive sense is your gut feeling telling you that something is or is not quite right.

84.

Which of the following is not an effect of using cold and ice on the body?

  • Decreased muscle tone

  • Increased tissue stiffness

  • Decreased pain

  • Decreased inflammation

Correct answer: Decreases muscle tone

The application of cold or ice causes an increase, not a decrease, in muscle tone.

The use of cold and ice during massage can also increase tissue stiffness, decrease pain, and control inflammation. Other effects on the body include increased white and red blood cell production, decreased respiration, decreased digestive processes, decreased metabolism, and increased stimulation.

85.

When describing the volar aspect of the hand, which side is being described?

  • The palm side

  • The right side

  • The left side

  • The back of the hand

Correct answer: The palm side

The term volar is synonymous with the term palmar. It describes the palm side of the hand.

86.

What type of bone is the cuboid?

  • Short bone

  • Flat bone

  • Irregular bone

  • Sesamoid bone

Correct answer: Short bone

The cuboid bone, which is one of the tarsals, is a short bone. Short bones have a thin cortex of compact bone and no cavity. 

Flat bones are generally flatter than they are round. The ribs are flat bones. Irregular bones, such as the scapulae, have complex shapes. Sesamoid bones, like the patella, are round bones and are often embedded in tendons and joint capsules. Sesamoid bones are a subcategory of irregular bones.

87.

A client reports an aching pain in the low back, which began immediately after a car accident 15 years ago. At first the pain was very sharp and could be pinpointed to the L4-L5 region; now, the client is unable to locate a specific "worst spot." The pain has been present ever since the accident, but the character of the pain has changed significantly over time. How would these symptoms most likely be classified?

  • Chronic pain

  • Acute pain

  • Idiopathic pain

  • Breakthrough pain

Correct answer: Chronic pain

By definition, chronic pain has been present for an extended period of time. It is almost always poorly localized and can change over time (started off sharp, now is aching). The client will probably have trouble describing exactly where the pain is located.

Acute pain occurs immediately after an injury (torn ACL, sprained ankle, etc.) and is relatively short-lived. Breakthrough pain occurs when pain levels increase between doses of opioid pain medication, which does not fit the description given by this client. Idiopathic pain has no clear cause.

88.

In building a trusting and respectful professional relationship with a client, communication is essential. Which type of communication skill is performed when the massage therapist restates the information to indicate the message was received and understood?

  • Reflective listening

  • Active listening

  • Giving advice

  • You-messaging

Correct answer: Reflective listening

Effective listening skills are essential for focused, client-centered care. When the massage therapist practices reflective listening, the professional restates the information that was given by the client to indicate a clear understanding of the message.

Active listening does not change or add to a message but can be used to clarify a feeling attached to a message. Listening does not include giving advice or interjecting information. You-messages are not appropriate as they show blame and criticism and provoke negative feelings. Instead, I-messages are appropriate for sharing concerns or feelings.

89.

A therapist is contacted by a potential client with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure. What is the best way for the therapist to proceed?

  • Consult directly with the client's doctor (following HIPAA regulations) and proceed with great caution as directed by the physician.

  • Proceed as with any other client; this condition is not a contraindication for massage.

  • Refuse to treat the client; this condition is a non-negotiable systemic contraindication.

  • Proceed with caution; this condition can benefit from massage, but it is highly contagious.

Correct answer: Consult directly with the client's doctor (following HIPAA regulations), and proceed with great caution as directed by the physician.

If a therapist is approached by a client with a diagnosis of congestive failure, they may proceed with treatment only under close medical supervision. Heart failure occurs when the weakened heart muscle cannot pump sufficient volumes of blood, which causes blood to pool in the veins. Massage may be beneficial in some cases. However, this is an extremely serious condition, and the therapist should collaborate with a qualified physician in order to create a treatment plan. Not all congestive heart failure patients are candidates for massage.

Because this is such a serious contraindication, the massage therapist should not proceed as with any other client. It may or may not be appropriate for a massage therapist to refuse treatment; this can be done if either the massage therapist is unqualified to treat medical conditions, or if they are unable to collaborate with the client's doctor. However, this is not the best way for a qualified therapist to proceed. Congestive heart failure is not contagious.

90.

Of the following options, which should be documented in a client's medical record?

  • A statement that the client was informed of benefits and risks before treatment

  • A statement that the client's social life was discussed

  • The names of the client's children

  • A statement that the risks and benefits of treatment were discussed after treatment

Correct answer: A statement that the client was informed of benefits and risks before treatment 

Many things should be documented in the client's record. One of the most important is a statement that the risks and benefits of the treatment were discussed with the client before any treatment was initiated. This further ensures that the client made a fully informed decision and affirmed their consent before participating in treatment. 

The benefits and risks should be discussed before the treatment, not after. It is inappropriate to document information that is not pertinent to the client's care (such as the client's social life and/or the names of client's children).

91.

A massage therapy practitioner is setting up a new wellness clinic and is working to do so in a manner that maintains HIPAA regulations for compliance. What is an example of a strategy that may lead to a breach in patient privacy?

  • Set up a mobile documentation station in the client lobby

  • Provide password-protected computers and tablets

  • Keep internet connections encrypted and firewall protected

  • Keep paper files in a locked cabinet

Correct answer: Set up a mobile documentation station in the client lobby

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (or HIPAA) protects the privacy and security of patient information, patients' rights, and regulation of administrative requirements.

A mobile documentation station in the lobby of a wellness clinic could lead to a breach in patient privacy due to the public setting of the lobby. Documentation should be done in a private area, away from the view of other clients or clinic visitors. The other options are all good practice for maintaining patient privacy.

92.

The muscular system’s functions include all the following except:

  • Calcium storage

  • Body movement

  • Posture and support

  • Movement of lymph

Correct answer: Calcium storage

Calcium storage is a function of the body’s skeletal system, not the muscular system.

The muscular system includes muscles which attach to bone. When the muscles contract, they can create movement, change the body's posture, and provide support for the joints. Muscle contraction assists in the movement of lymph through the lymphatic system of the body.

93.

Percussive techniques are an excellent way to stimulate muscle tone. When performing percussion over the lateral aspect of the lower ribs, which of the following structures might be damaged?

  • Kidney

  • Carotid artery

  • Aorta

  • Liver

Correct answer: Kidney

Aggressive percussion (tapotement) to the client's lateral lower ribs risks damaging the kidney. Percussion is sometimes an appropriate technique to use in this area, but should be performed lightly and with great caution.

The liver and aorta could be damaged during abdominal massage, and the carotid artery could be damaged during massage inferior to the ear. Neither of these areas is likely to benefit from tapotement.

94.

Which of the following is not an effect of hydrotherapy that applies heat?

  • Increased white blood cell production

  • Sedation and calming

  • Elimination of toxins

  • Spasmodic relief

Correct answer: Increased white blood cell production

The application of heat decreases white blood cell production. If the goal is to increase white production, the therapist can apply cold hydrotherapy instead.

Heat produces a calming effect, eliminates toxins, and provides relief from muscle spasms.

95.

Following a massage in which the therapist used essential oils, the therapist notices the client is much happier and more relaxed. Why did this most likely occur in reaction to the use of essential oils?

  • Stimulation of the limbic system

  • Stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system

  • Stimulation of the proprioceptors

  • Stimulation of the spinothalamic tract

Correct answer: Stimulation of the limbic system

The sense of smell is highly tied to memories and emotion through the limbic system in the brain. This system deals with emotions and memory, and positive stimulation can result in improved mood and relaxation.

The sympathetic nervous system typically increases stress levels. Stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system should not occur during a massage; if it did, it would not result in the client appearing happier and more relaxed. The proprioceptors sense the body's location in space. The spinothalamic tract carries pain signals in the spinal cord. Neither the proprioceptors nor the spinothalamic tract would likely be stimulated by smell.

96.

Which of the following structures is not located in the lower respiratory system?

  • The pharynx

  • The larynx

  • The bronchi

  • The alveoli

Correct answer: The pharynx

The pharynx, or throat, is located in the upper respiratory system. It is divided into the following three sections:

  1. The nasopharynx is a pathway for air and a continuation of the nasal cavity.
  2. The oropharynx is a pathway for food and extends back from the mouth. This is the part of the throat that is visible when a person opens their mouth, containing the tonsils.
  3. The laryngopharynx is a pathway for both air and food. It begins at the hyoid bone and then separates into the esophagus and the larynx.

The larynx (voice box) connects the pharynx to the trachea (windpipe). Both the bronchi and the alveoli are located within the lungs. The larynx, trachea, bronchi, and alveoli are all part of the lower respiratory system. 

97.

If a client's joints are inflamed and painful, which of the following conditions is the client most likely to have?

  • Arthritis

  • Tendonitis

  • Bursitis

  • Phlebitis

Correct answer: Arthritis

If a client's joints are inflamed and painful, the client most likely has arthritis. Arthritis is the inflammation of a joint and can be due to degenerative changes or autoimmune disease. Common types of arthritis include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Tendonitis is when tendon sheaths are inflamed. Bursitis is inflammation of the bursa. Phlebitis is when veins are inflamed.

98.

When assessing areas of pain, it is important for a massage therapist to differentiate between joint and soft tissue dysfunction. Which is an indication of a joint dysfunction?

  • Pain with joint compression and with passive range of motion

  • Pain with joint traction and active range of motion

  • Pain without joint movement

  • Pain only with deep palpation

Correct answer: Pain with joint compression and with passive range of motion

To determine whether an individual has soft tissue dysfunction or joint dysfunction, assessment is required. Pain with joint traction is usually soft tissue dysfunction. Pain with joint compression is usually joint dysfunction. In addition, if active range of motion causes pain and passive range of motion does not, then it is likely soft tissue related. If both active and passive range cause pain it is likely a joint dysfunction. Clients with suspected joint dysfunction require referral to a physician, as treatment of the joints is outside a massage therapist's scope of practice.

99.

Which of the following sensory nerves responds to chemical changes within the body?

  • Chemoreceptors

  • Nociceptors

  • Proprioceptors

  • Mechanoreceptors

Correct answer: Chemoreceptors

Chemoreceptors detect chemical changes within the body and report that information back to the central nervous system. 

Soft tissue consists of four basic categories of sensory nerves:

  1. Mechanoreceptors respond to touch, pressure, and movement.
  2. Proprioceptors respond to changes in position and movement.
  3. Chemoreceptors respond to chemical changes such as oxygen levels and acid-base balance.
  4. Nociceptors respond to irritation and pain.

100.

Of the following, what is the best description of ground substance?

  • A gelatin-like structure that supports the fibers of fascia and is sensitive to temperature

  • The collagen and elastic fibers of the fascia

  • A gelatin-like structure that supports the fibers of fascia and is insensitive to temperature

  • Scar tissue

Correct answer: A gelatin-like structure that supports the fibers of fascia and is sensitive to temperature.

Ground substance is a gelatin-like structure that supports the fibers of fascia and is sensitive to temperature. This sensitivity makes it important to warm the muscles up slowly. As ground substance gets warmer, it becomes more pliable, allowing for more freedom of movement. This warm-up process is an essential part of any massage, workout, or stretching routine.

Ground substance supports the collagen and elastic fibers that are also part of the fascia. Fascia plays a role in the creation of scar tissue, but is more influenced by collagen fibers than by ground substance.

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