Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination Guidelines for Professional Practice 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client discloses they are currently in therapy for PTSD. What is the massage therapist's most appropriate first step?
- Begin the session and avoid any discussion of trauma
- Obtain written consent from the client's therapist before proceeding
- Ask the client whether massage fits within their treatment plan and note any contraindications (Correct answer)
- Decline to work with the client until the PTSD is resolved
Correct answer: Ask the client whether massage fits within their treatment plan and note any contraindications
The therapist should assess how massage fits into the client's overall care, document any precautions, and potentially coordinate with the mental health provider.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the concept of 'scope of practice' for massage therapists?
- The total number of techniques a therapist has learned
- The geographic region in which a therapist may legally work
- The range of services a therapist is legally authorized to perform based on licensure (Correct answer)
- The list of conditions a therapist prefers to treat
Correct answer: The range of services a therapist is legally authorized to perform based on licensure
Scope of practice is defined by state law and licensure and outlines what services massage therapists are legally permitted to provide.
Question 3: A therapist discovers a suspicious mole on a client's back during a session. What is the appropriate action?
- Diagnose the mole as potentially cancerous and refer immediately to an oncologist
- Say nothing to avoid alarming the client
- Note the observation in the SOAP record and suggest the client have a physician evaluate it (Correct answer)
- Apply extra caution and massage around the mole without mentioning it
Correct answer: Note the observation in the SOAP record and suggest the client have a physician evaluate it
Therapists should document observations and recommend that clients seek medical evaluation for suspicious skin changes, while avoiding diagnosis.
Question 4: Which scenario represents a violation of professional boundaries?
- Adjusting session pressure based on client feedback
- Accepting a gift card valued at $10 from a long-term client
- Attending a client's wedding after building a friendship outside the therapeutic relationship (Correct answer)
- Discussing treatment goals with the client before each session
Correct answer: Attending a client's wedding after building a friendship outside the therapeutic relationship
Developing a personal friendship with a client and attending social events crosses the professional boundary between therapeutic and personal relationships.
Question 5: How long must massage therapists typically retain client records after the last date of service for adult clients?
- 1 year
- 3 years
- 7 years (Correct answer)
- Indefinitely
Correct answer: 7 years
Most states require health records for adult clients to be retained for at least 7 years from the last date of service, though requirements vary.
Question 6: A client cancels an appointment repeatedly. What is the most professional response?
- Dismiss the client from practice immediately
- Charge a cancellation fee if one is outlined in the written office policy the client signed (Correct answer)
- Call the client's emergency contact to find out why
- Ignore the cancellations and do not discuss them
Correct answer: Charge a cancellation fee if one is outlined in the written office policy the client signed
Charging a cancellation fee is appropriate only when it is part of a clearly communicated and signed policy established at intake.
Question 7: Which of the following is a key element that must be present for informed consent to be valid?
- The client must sign a waiver releasing all liability
- The client must understand the nature of the treatment, its risks, and alternatives (Correct answer)
- The therapist must obtain a physician's approval before treatment
- The client must be a legal adult with no exceptions
Correct answer: The client must understand the nature of the treatment, its risks, and alternatives
Valid informed consent requires the client to comprehend what the treatment involves, potential risks, benefits, and available alternatives before agreeing.
Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination Guidelines for Professional Practice 2
A client discloses they are currently in therapy for PTSD.
What is the massage therapist's most appropriate first step?