MBLEx Anatomy and Physiology Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client reports feeling stressed and having an elevated heart rate. During the massage, the therapist focuses on techniques that promote relaxation. Which division of the nervous system is primarily being targeted to achieve this effect?
- Somatic nervous system
- Central nervous system
- Sympathetic nervous system
- Parasympathetic nervous system (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Parasympathetic nervous system
The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the 'rest and digest' response, which counteracts the 'fight or flight' response of the sympathetic nervous system. Massage techniques aimed at relaxation stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, leading to a decrease in heart rate, deeper breathing, and a general sense of calm.
Question 2: Which of the following correctly traces the path of deoxygenated blood from the body to the lungs?
- Left Atrium -> Left Ventricle -> Aorta -> Lungs
- Superior/Inferior Vena Cava -> Right Atrium -> Right Ventricle -> Pulmonary Artery (Correct answer)
- Pulmonary Vein -> Left Atrium -> Left Ventricle -> Pulmonary Artery
- Right Ventricle -> Right Atrium -> Superior/Inferior Vena Cava -> Lungs
Correct answer: Superior/Inferior Vena Cava -> Right Atrium -> Right Ventricle -> Pulmonary Artery
Deoxygenated blood from the body enters the right atrium via the superior and inferior vena cava. It then passes through the tricuspid valve to the right ventricle. From the right ventricle, it is pumped through the pulmonary valve into the pulmonary artery, which carries it to the lungs for oxygenation.
Question 3: During a client's assessment, a massage therapist notes that the client has difficulty abducting their arm beyond the first 15 degrees. Which muscle is primarily responsible for initiating this action?
- Deltoid
- Teres major
- Supraspinatus (Correct answer)
- Latissimus dorsi
Correct answer: Supraspinatus
The supraspinatus muscle, one of the four rotator cuff muscles, is responsible for the first 15-20 degrees of abduction at the shoulder joint. After this initial movement, the deltoid muscle becomes the primary mover for continued abduction.
Question 4: A massage therapist is working on a client and applies light, gliding strokes over the skin. This stimulation of sensory receptors in the epidermis and dermis primarily provides input to which body system to induce relaxation?
- Endocrine system
- Nervous system (Correct answer)
- Cardiovascular system
- Lymphatic system
Correct answer: Nervous system
The skin is rich with sensory receptors that detect touch, pressure, and temperature. When stimulated by massage, these receptors send signals through the peripheral nerves to the central nervous system. This process can trigger the relaxation response, reduce stress, and create a sense of well-being.
Question 5: A client is performing a bicep curl, bringing a weight from their thigh up towards their shoulder. What type of muscle contraction is the biceps brachii performing?
- Isometric
- Eccentric
- Concentric (Correct answer)
- Isokinetic
Correct answer: Concentric
A concentric contraction occurs when a muscle shortens while generating force. During a bicep curl, the biceps brachii shortens as it flexes the elbow to lift the weight.
Question 6: Which layer of the skin contains blood vessels, nerve endings, hair follicles, and glands?
- Epidermis
- Hypodermis
- Dermis (Correct answer)
- Stratum corneum
Correct answer: Dermis
The dermis is the middle layer of the skin, located beneath the epidermis. It is a complex layer containing connective tissue, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and sweat (sudoriferous) and oil (sebaceous) glands.
A client reports feeling stressed and having an elevated heart rate.
During the massage, the therapist focuses on techniques that promote relaxation.
Which division of the nervous system is primarily being targeted to achieve this effect?