Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination MBLEx MCQ 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following conditions is an absolute contraindication for massage therapy?
- Mild muscle soreness from exercise
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (Correct answer)
- Chronic low back pain
- Tension headache
Correct answer: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Deep vein thrombosis is an absolute contraindication because massage could dislodge the clot, potentially causing a life-threatening pulmonary embolism. The therapist must not work on a client with suspected or confirmed DVT.
Question 2: The reciprocal inhibition principle in neuromuscular therapy states that when an agonist muscle contracts, the antagonist muscle will:
- Contract simultaneously to stabilize the joint
- Reflexively relax to allow movement (Correct answer)
- Increase its tone to protect the joint
- Remain unaffected by the agonist's activity
Correct answer: Reflexively relax to allow movement
Reciprocal inhibition is a spinal reflex in which activation of the agonist causes neurological inhibition (relaxation) of the antagonist, allowing smooth, coordinated movement. Massage therapists use this principle to release hypertonic muscles.
Question 3: A massage therapist notices a suspicious mole on a client's back that is asymmetrical with irregular borders and multiple colors. The most appropriate response is to:
- Massage around the area and say nothing to avoid alarming the client
- Document the finding and recommend the client consult a physician (Correct answer)
- Apply extra lubricant and continue working over the mole
- Refuse to continue the session entirely
Correct answer: Document the finding and recommend the client consult a physician
The therapist's scope of practice does not include diagnosing skin conditions, but they have a duty to document unusual findings and refer clients to the appropriate healthcare provider. ABCDs of melanoma (asymmetry, border, color, diameter) are key warning signs.
Question 4: Which draping technique best respects client privacy while allowing work on the posterior leg?
- Remove all draping from the lower half of the body
- Untuck the sheet and fold it diagonally to expose only the leg being worked on (Correct answer)
- Place a towel across the gluteal region only and leave both legs fully exposed
- Ask the client to hold the sheet in place while you work
Correct answer: Untuck the sheet and fold it diagonally to expose only the leg being worked on
The diagonal fold technique exposes only the specific limb being addressed while keeping the gluteal region and contralateral leg covered, maintaining client modesty and professional standards throughout the session.
Question 5: The petrissage technique primarily affects which tissue component?
- Superficial fascia only
- Muscle tissue and deeper connective tissue (Correct answer)
- Skin and epidermis exclusively
- Periosteum of underlying bone
Correct answer: Muscle tissue and deeper connective tissue
Petrissage involves kneading, wringing, and lifting of tissue, which targets muscle bellies and the deeper connective tissue layers. It helps increase local circulation, reduce muscle tension, and improve tissue pliability below the superficial skin layers.
Question 6: When performing range of motion assessment, a capsular end feel is most commonly associated with:
- A healthy joint at the end of its normal range
- Pathological shortening of the joint capsule (Correct answer)
- Muscle spasm limiting movement before anatomical end range
- A bony block preventing further motion
Correct answer: Pathological shortening of the joint capsule
A capsular end feel occurs when the joint capsule is pathologically tight, limiting range before the normal anatomical end range is reached. It feels like a firm, leathery resistance and is often associated with conditions such as adhesive capsulitis or chronic joint inflammation.
Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination MBLEx MCQ 1
Which of the following conditions is an absolute contraindication for massage therapy?