Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination Client Assessment and Planning 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A therapist uses the SOAP note format for documentation. What does the 'O' in SOAP stand for?
- Observation
- Objective (Correct answer)
- Outcome
- Operational
Correct answer: Objective
In SOAP notes, 'O' stands for Objective, referring to measurable findings the therapist observes such as tissue quality, ROM, and posture.
Question 2: When assessing range of motion, a client actively moves their neck into lateral flexion. This type of assessment is called:
- Passive range of motion
- Resistive range of motion
- Active range of motion (Correct answer)
- Functional range of motion
Correct answer: Active range of motion
Active range of motion (AROM) involves the client moving the joint through its range using their own muscular effort.
Question 3: A pregnant client in her second trimester wants a full-body massage. Which position is MOST appropriate for the majority of the session?
- Prone with a pregnancy bolster only
- Side-lying with proper support (Correct answer)
- Supine with a slight incline
- Semi-reclined in a massage chair
Correct answer: Side-lying with proper support
Side-lying is the safest and most comfortable position for pregnant clients, particularly after the first trimester, to avoid pressure on the uterus.
Question 4: During assessment, a therapist notices a client has pitting edema in both ankles. What is the most appropriate response?
- Massage the ankles vigorously to reduce swelling
- Inquire about the cause and refer to a physician if unknown (Correct answer)
- Apply cold packs before massaging the area
- Proceed with deep tissue work to the legs
Correct answer: Inquire about the cause and refer to a physician if unknown
Bilateral pitting edema may indicate systemic conditions like heart or kidney dysfunction, requiring physician evaluation before massage.
Question 5: Which of the following questions would be MOST useful in assessing a client's pain during the initial interview?
- How long have you been coming for massage therapy?
- Does the pain change with activity or rest? (Correct answer)
- Do you prefer light or deep pressure in general?
- How many times per week do you exercise?
Correct answer: Does the pain change with activity or rest?
Understanding whether pain changes with activity or rest helps identify whether the condition is inflammatory, mechanical, or postural in nature.
Question 6: A client reports taking anticoagulant medication (blood thinners). Which massage consideration is MOST relevant?
- Avoid all massage as it is absolutely contraindicated
- Use lighter pressure to reduce risk of bruising or hematoma (Correct answer)
- Apply deep tissue only to avoid superficial capillaries
- Focus only on the feet and hands
Correct answer: Use lighter pressure to reduce risk of bruising or hematoma
Anticoagulants increase bleeding risk, so the therapist should use lighter pressure to minimize the risk of bruising or internal bleeding.
Question 7: A treatment plan should be re-evaluated when:
- The client changes their payment method
- The client's condition changes or treatment goals are met (Correct answer)
- The therapist learns a new massage technique
- The session exceeds 60 minutes in duration
Correct answer: The client's condition changes or treatment goals are met
Treatment plans must be updated when the client's condition changes, goals are achieved, or the client is not responding as expected.
Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination Client Assessment and Planning 3
A therapist uses the SOAP note format for documentation.
What does the 'O' in SOAP stand for?