Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination MBLEx Test Ethics, Boundaries, and Laws Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A massage therapist discovers that a long-time client is also a close friend's spouse. What is the most ethical course of action?
- Continue treatment without acknowledging the relationship
- Discuss the dual relationship with the client and consider a referral (Correct answer)
- Immediately terminate the therapeutic relationship
- Inform the friend about the client's treatments
Correct answer: Discuss the dual relationship with the client and consider a referral
Dual relationships should be openly addressed, and a referral may be appropriate to maintain professional boundaries.
Question 2: Which federal law requires massage therapists to maintain client health information confidentiality?
- OSHA
- HIPAA (Correct answer)
- ADA
- FERPA
Correct answer: HIPAA
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) establishes national standards for protecting patient health information.
Question 3: A client requests that the massage therapist perform a technique outside their scope of practice. What should the therapist do?
- Attempt the technique to satisfy the client
- Decline and refer the client to an appropriate practitioner (Correct answer)
- Perform a modified version of the technique
- Agree but charge extra for the specialized service
Correct answer: Decline and refer the client to an appropriate practitioner
Practicing outside one's scope of practice is both unethical and illegal, so a referral to a qualified practitioner is appropriate.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a code of ethics in massage therapy?
- To increase revenue for practitioners
- To establish standards of professional conduct and protect the public (Correct answer)
- To limit the number of practicing therapists
- To create legal liability for practitioners
Correct answer: To establish standards of professional conduct and protect the public
Codes of ethics establish behavioral standards that protect both clients and the integrity of the profession.
Question 5: In which situation would a massage therapist be legally required to break client confidentiality?
- When a client discloses marital problems
- When a client reports suspected child abuse to the therapist (Correct answer)
- When another therapist asks about the client's condition
- When the client's employer requests health information
Correct answer: When a client reports suspected child abuse to the therapist
Massage therapists are mandated reporters and must report suspected child abuse to the appropriate authorities.
Question 6: A massage therapist accepts expensive gifts from a client on multiple occasions. This practice is problematic because it:
- Violates tax reporting requirements
- Creates a power imbalance and blurs professional boundaries (Correct answer)
- Is only inappropriate if the gifts exceed $100
- Is acceptable as long as both parties consent
Correct answer: Creates a power imbalance and blurs professional boundaries
Accepting repeated expensive gifts can create obligation, blur boundaries, and compromise the therapeutic relationship.
Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination MBLEx Test Ethics, Boundaries, and Laws Questions and Answers 2
A massage therapist discovers that a long-time client is also a close friend's spouse.
What is the most ethical course of action?