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Quiz Session - Attempts With Random Questions

FSMTB MBLEx Exam Questions

Page 10 of 50

181.

Which layer of the skin acts as the insulation for the body?

  • Subcutaneous tissue

  • Epidermis

  • Dermis

  • Hair follicles

Correct answer: Subcutaneous tissue

The skin is made up of three layers: epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. The subcutaneous tissue attaches the dermis to the underlying structures. It is made up of fatty adipose tissue and acts as insulation for the body.

The epidermis is the most superficial layer of skin tissue. It contains no nerves or blood vessels and is made up of 20–30 layers of flat, keratin-filled dead cells that are continually shed and replaced by deeper layers of tissue. The dermis is deep to the epidermis and superficial to the subcutaneous tissue. The dermis is much thicker than the epidermis and provides much of the structure and strength of the skin. Individual hair follicles are located within the skin.

182.

Which of the following best defines "cryotherapy"?

  • Ice therapy

  • Heat therapy

  • Hydrotherapy

  • Massage therapy

Correct answer: Ice therapy

Cryotherapy is another term for ice therapy. Ice therapy is used on contusions, sprains, fractures, and strains. There are many types of applications including ice packs, ice immersion, ice massage, cold whirlpool, chemical cold packs, and cold gel packs.

Heat therapy is the application of heat by using hot stones, heated towels, or similar implements. Hydrotherapy, or water therapy, can use either hot or cold applications. Cryotherapy can be used during the course of a massage therapist's practice, but cryotherapy is not a necessary component of all types of massage therapy. 

183.

You accidentally touch a hot stove, and quickly pull your hand away. What sort of reflex causes this action to occur? 

  • Withdrawal reflex

  • Righting reflex

  • Arthrokinetic reflex

  • Stretch reflex

Correct answer: Withdrawal reflex

The withdrawal reflex is a protective response in which instantaneous muscle contraction occurs for protection. When a person touches a hot stove, the withdrawal reflex is activated to quickly pull their hand back and avoid further injury.

The righting reflex and the oculopelvic reflexes stimulate instantaneous contraction for joint protection and support an upright posture. The arthrokinetic reflex is the unconscious contraction of the muscles surrounding a joint in response to irritation. This is also known as splinting. The stretch reflex (such as the patellar tendon reflex) is a protective reflex that reacts to the quick stretch of a muscle or tendon, causing that same structure to contract in order to avoid injury.

184.

If a client has lost voluntary control over the movement of his body parts, which body system is not functioning appropriately?

  • Nervous system

  • Skeletal system

  • Endocrine system

  • Integumentary system

Correct answer: Nervous system

If a client has lost control over his body parts, his nervous system is not functioning appropriately. The nervous system is responsible for the communication of stimuli and control of responses. For example, a stroke (which is one form of injury to the brain) may cause a client to lose control over the actions of his body.

The skeletal and muscular systems are responsible for framework and movement. The endocrine system is primarily responsible for regulating hormones in the effort to maintain homeostasis. The integumentary system, which includes the skin, contains protective membranes, sensory receptors, and similar structures.

185.

Which of the following is considered a general contraindication, not a local contraindication?

  • Shock

  • Frostbite

  • Open wound

  • Undiagnosed lump

Correct answer: Shock

Shock is considered a general (systemic) contraindication for massage. General contraindications mean that massage should not be performed while the condition is present.

Local contraindications include frostbite, undiagnosed lumps, and an open wound. These areas should be avoided, but massage can still be performed over unaffected areas.

186.

What muscles are flexor muscles antagonists to?

  • Extensor

  • Adductor

  • Abductor

  • Protractor

Correct answer: Extensor

Flexion is a bending movement, and extension is a straightening movement; both occur in the sagittal plane. Flexor and extensor muscles work as antagonists to each other.

Abduction is the lateral movement of a limb away from the midline of the trunk, and adduction is movement of a limb toward the midline. Both occur in the frontal plane. Therefore, abductor and adductor muscles are antagonists to each other.

Protraction is forward movement away from the spine, and retraction is backward movement away from the spine; both occur in the sagittal plane. Protractor and retractor muscles are antagonists to each other.

187.

When performing clinical massage, it is appropriate to:

  • Undrape only the area the therapist is working on at any given time

  • Leave the client fully covered by the top sheet at all times

  • Undrape half of the client's body at a time.

  • Respect a client's wishes if they ask the therapist to undrape them completely

Correct answer: Undrape only the area the therapist is working on at any given time

Clinical massage is performed to promote health and healing, with the side benefit of relaxation. In order to effectively perform massage on any given area of the body, it is important for the therapist to make skin-to-skin contact with the client.

By leaving the client fully covered by the top sheet at all times, the therapist reduces the effectiveness of the massage.

It is appropriate for the therapist to undrape the upper half of the client's body when working on their back; however, the therapist should only undrape one of the client's legs at the time and, in most situations, it is inappropriate to undrape the front of the client's chest.

Regardless of the client's request, it is completely inappropriate for the therapist to undrape an undressed client completely, as this may be considered sexual contact and therefore violates the massage therapist's code of ethics.

Draping is often unnecessary when working on a fully-clothed client, as during chair massage.

188.

The legal obligation to engage in the best personal and clinical conduct is known as:

  • Ethics

  • Morals

  • Scruples

  • Standards of practice

Correct answer: Ethics 

Moral decisions and conduct related to the client-therapist relationship are considered ethics. These are largely defined by laws or codes of ethics, which are externally imposed on the massage therapist by the professional organization or the government. They are an obligation to behave as morally as possible in each situation. Ethical behavior also involves providing the best care possible since knowingly providing sub-par care would be unethical. 

Morals and scruples are personal principles, independent of the professional organization or government, and deal with what an individual views as right and wrong. Standards of practice are set by professional organizations and the government; however, they are guidelines with an emphasis on best clinical practice rather than clinical and personal conduct.

189.

Torticollis is muscle condition that is often seen in the pediatric population. What symptom characterizes this condition?

  • Tilting of the neck

  • Lateral curvature of the spine

  • Thoracic curvature

  • Lumbar curvature

Correct answer: Tilting of the neck

Torticollis is a muscle condition that causes the neck to tilt to one side. It is caused by the shortening and tightness of one of the sternocleidomastoid muscles. It is also known as wry neck. Massage can relax the muscles, stretch contracted muscles, and improve range of motion.

Scoliosis is the pathological lateral curvature of the spine. Kyphosis and lordosis are both natural curvatures of the spine; when these curves are exaggerated to the point of pathology, they become hyperkyphosis and hyperlordosis, respectively. The healthy thoracic spine exhibits a thoracic curve, and the healthy lumbar spine exhibits a lordotic curve.

190.

If a person has a blockage in the urethra, what would they have difficulty doing?

  • Urinating

  • Defecating

  • Vomiting

  • Sweating

Correct answer: Urinating

Urination is the process of expelling urine from the body. The urethra is a tube that transports urine from the bladder to outside the body. A blockage here would cause an inability or significant difficulty with urination.

The rectum, not the urethra, is responsible for defecation. Vomiting involves the stomach and esophagus. Sweating occurs on the epidermis.

191.

Which muscle helps the primary muscle move?

  • Synergist

  • Agonist

  • Antagonist

  • The secondary muscle

Correct answer: Synergist

The synergist is the muscle that assists the prime mover by holding a part of the body steady, thereby providing leverage.

The agonist is the prime mover, which shortens to create movement. The antagonist is the muscle that opposes the action of the agonist by lengthening and controlling the movement. The secondary muscle is not a commonly used term.

In elbow flexion, for example, the biceps muscle is agonist, the triceps muscle is the antagonist, and the brachioradialis and brachialis are the synergists.

192.

When communicating feelings, a massage therapist should:

  • Be as specific as possible

  • Use you-messages

  • Use reflective listening skills

  • Adhere to HIPAA regulations

Correct answer: Be as specific as possible

When communicating feelings, a massage therapist should be as specific as possible. For example, consider replacing a word like "upset" with an alternative such as "concerned," "discouraged," "flustered," or something similar. This specificity improves communication and makes it easier to resolve conflict.

You-messages are not the most effective form of communication.

Reflective skills are an important part of communication, but speaking about one's own feelings is not the same as listening.

While a therapist should always adhere to HIPAA regulations, communicating one's personal feelings does not usually put a therapist at risk of violating HIPAA.

193.

What is the periosteum?

  • The dense, fibrous sheath of connective tissue that covers bones

  • The process of smooth muscle contraction

  • A thin membrane of connective tissue lining the cavity of a bone

  • The tough, flexible connective tissue within a joint

Correct answer: The dense, fibrous sheath of connective tissue that covers bones

The periosteum is a dense, fibrous sheath of connective tissue covering a bone. When stretched, it provides mechanoreceptor information about the location of a joint.

Peristalsis is the process of smooth muscle contraction. The endosteum is a thin membrane of connective tissue lining the cavity of a bone. Cartilage is the tough, flexible, connective tissue within a joint.

194.

A massage therapist is working with a client and notices significant tightness in the client's psoas and quadratus lumborum muscles. Tightness in these areas may contribute to which of the following?

  • Lumbar plexus compression

  • Excessive lumbar kyphosis

  • Compression of the popliteal artery

  • Sacral plexus compression

Correct answer: Lumbar plexus compression

The lumbar plexus is a collection of nerves located in the lumbar region that largely supplies the lower extremities. The psoas and quadratus lumborum can compress this plexus if they are taut. Shortening of the lumbar dorsal fascia can also cause compression here. 

The sacral plexus is another collection of nerves that exit the spinal cord in the sacral region. Compression of this plexus is caused by the piriformis, not the psoas and quadratus lumborum. A shortened psoas and quadratus lumborum would cause a person to present with excessive lumbar lordosis, not kyphosis. The popliteal artery is located on the posterior aspect of the leg and is present in the adductor canal and posterior knee. It would not be compressed by the psoas and quadratus lumborum.

195.

A client has weak bones that are prone to fracture. Which of the following conditions does she most likely have? 

  • Osteoporosis

  • Thrombosis

  • Arteriosclerosis

  • Torticollis

Correct answer: Osteoporosis

If a client has weak bones, the client most likely has osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition of low bone-mineral density. Osteopenia is a less severe form of osteoporosis.

A thrombosis is a blood clot. Arteriosclerosis is an artery disease caused by hardened plaque. Torticollis is an abnormally positioned neck due to muscle imbalance.

196.

Which of the following should be avoided when working with an 11-month-old child?

  • Light touch

  • Use of lubricant

  • Light compressive techniques

  • Kneading

Correct answer: Light touch

When working with the pediatric population, it is important to avoid light touch because the nervous system is still developing and this could cause a tickle response, thus negating the intention of the massage. This is especially true of the infant population as light touch stimulation in specific areas can cause various developmental reflexes. 

The techniques used should be rhythmic, gentle, and use slow gliding/gentle kneading. Light compressive techniques can be applied but should be used with caution. Scent-free lubricant should also be used to reduce friction on the skin.

197.

A massage therapist is applying a technique to a client lying prone on the massage table. At what angle should the therapist's shoulders be in relation to the contact point on the client's body?

  • 90 degrees

  • 45 degrees

  • 0 degrees

  • 180 degrees

Correct answer: 90 degrees 

Perpendicularity is a basic concept that is very important for a therapist's body mechanics. By applying pressure at a perpendicular angle (90 degrees), the therapist uses the minimum amount of effort to achieve a maximum effect. This prevents the therapist from expending unnecessary energy and will make massage more sustainable in the long term.

Pressure applied at a 45-degree angle causes an unnecessary increase in work for the therapist. A 0-degree or 180-degree application angle would not be effective at all as the pressure would be applied parallel to the tissue.

198.

Which of the following should a therapist engage in to remain compliant with the standards of practice?

  • Periodic peer reviews

  • Multiple specialty certifications

  • Take on a management role in the clinic

  • Take on leadership positions within the state board

Correct answer: Periodic peer reviews

According to the standards of practice for massage therapy, professionals in this field should engage in periodic peer reviews. This process helps identify potential problem areas so that the therapist can continue to improve.

While multiple specialty certifications, management roles, and leadership positions may help a therapist's career, they are not required in the standards of practice.

199.

Which of the following structures is the most vulnerable to a tension injury?

  • Biceps brachii

  • Humerus

  • Cartilage

  • Femur

Correct answer: Biceps brachii

The biceps brachii are considered soft tissue and are therefore are very vulnerable to tension injuries. Tension injuries occur when the two ends of the tissue are pulled apart, as in a strain. Tension injuries are the most common type of injury to soft tissues. Sprains, tendonitis, and nerve traction injuries are also considered types of traction injuries. 

Bone is incredibly difficult to injure by traction since it is so strong (humerus, femur). Cartilage is also difficult to injure with traction since it is typically so closely oriented with bone.

200.

What is the term for a cutaneous part of the body supplied by a single nerve?

  • Dermatome

  • Myotome

  • Limb

  • Plexus

Correct answer: Dermatome

A dermatome is a cutaneous part of the body (i.e., a section of the skin) supplied by a single nerve. There is some overlap between dermatomal patterns. General knowledge of dermatomes enables massage therapists to locate injuries in the spinal column, even when they present with distal pain. 

A myotome is a skeletal muscle that is, or group of muscles that are, innervated by a specific spinal nerve. A limb is part of the axial skeleton; each limb has multiple dermatomes. A plexus is a network of intertwining nerves, such as the cranial plexus. 

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