Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination MBLEx Client Assessment and Treatment Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client reports pain that increases with deep breathing and is localized along the ribcage. Which assessment finding would most likely indicate an intercostal muscle strain rather than a visceral referral?
- Pain reproducible with palpation of the intercostal spaces (Correct answer)
- Pain that radiates to the left arm
- Pain unaffected by trunk rotation
- Pain that worsens when lying supine
Correct answer: Pain reproducible with palpation of the intercostal spaces
Intercostal strains produce point tenderness that is reproducible with direct palpation of the affected intercostal muscles.
Question 2: During a postural assessment, a massage therapist observes that a client's right shoulder is significantly elevated compared to the left. Which muscle group should be assessed first for hypertonicity?
- Right upper trapezius and levator scapulae (Correct answer)
- Left rhomboids
- Right latissimus dorsi
- Left pectoralis minor
Correct answer: Right upper trapezius and levator scapulae
An elevated shoulder most commonly results from hypertonicity of the upper trapezius and levator scapulae on the ipsilateral side.
Question 3: A client with a history of thoracic outlet syndrome presents for massage therapy. Which orthopedic test is most appropriate to include in the initial assessment?
- Adson's test (Correct answer)
- Phalen's test
- Lachman's test
- McMurray's test
Correct answer: Adson's test
Adson's test assesses for compression of the neurovascular bundle in the thoracic outlet by monitoring the radial pulse during head rotation.
Question 4: When documenting a client's pain using the SOAP note format, where should the therapist record the client's self-reported pain level of 7 out of 10?
- Subjective section (Correct answer)
- Objective section
- Assessment section
- Plan section
Correct answer: Subjective section
Client self-reported information, including pain scales, is recorded in the Subjective section of a SOAP note.
Question 5: A massage therapist performs range-of-motion testing on a client's cervical spine and finds that lateral flexion to the right is 25 degrees while left lateral flexion is 45 degrees. What does this asymmetry most likely suggest?
- Restriction in the right lateral flexors or adhesion on the right side (Correct answer)
- Hypermobility of the left cervical spine
- Weakness of the left sternocleidomastoid
- A neurological deficit affecting the right side
Correct answer: Restriction in the right lateral flexors or adhesion on the right side
Reduced lateral flexion toward one side typically indicates muscular restriction, adhesion, or joint dysfunction on that same side limiting movement.
Question 6: A new client's intake form reveals they are currently taking anticoagulant medication. How should this information influence the therapist's treatment plan?
- Avoid deep pressure techniques due to increased bruising risk (Correct answer)
- Proceed with normal deep tissue work
- Apply ice after every session
- Refer the client to a physician before any massage
Correct answer: Avoid deep pressure techniques due to increased bruising risk
Anticoagulant medications increase bleeding and bruising risk, requiring the therapist to use lighter pressure and avoid aggressive techniques.
Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination MBLEx Client Assessment and Treatment Questions and Answers 2
A client reports pain that increases with deep breathing and is localized along the ribcage.
Which assessment finding would most likely indicate an intercostal muscle strain rather than a visceral referral?