NCBTMB Client Assessment and Treatment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a postural assessment, a client displays elevated right shoulder and a lowered left hip. This pattern most likely indicates:
- Lordosis
- Scoliosis (Correct answer)
- Kyphosis
- Flat back
Correct answer: Scoliosis
Scoliosis involves lateral curvature of the spine, which can present as uneven shoulder and hip heights.
Question 2: A client reports pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest. This pain pattern is most characteristic of:
- Neuropathic pain
- Visceral pain
- Mechanical pain (Correct answer)
- Referred pain
Correct answer: Mechanical pain
Mechanical pain is typically aggravated by movement and physical activity and relieved by rest.
Question 3: Which assessment technique involves the therapist passively moving the client's joint to evaluate end-feel and range of motion?
- Active range of motion
- Resisted range of motion
- Passive range of motion (Correct answer)
- Functional range of motion
Correct answer: Passive range of motion
Passive range of motion is performed entirely by the therapist with no client muscle activation, allowing evaluation of joint end-feel.
Question 4: A client discloses they are taking anticoagulant medication. Which massage technique should be avoided or used with extreme caution?
- Effleurage
- Petrissage
- Deep friction massage (Correct answer)
- Passive stretching
Correct answer: Deep friction massage
Deep friction massage can cause bruising and internal bleeding in clients on anticoagulants due to impaired clotting.
Question 5: What does the acronym SOAP stand for in clinical massage documentation?
- Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan (Correct answer)
- Situation, Observation, Action, Progress
- Subjective, Observation, Analysis, Procedure
- Symptoms, Outcomes, Approach, Protocol
Correct answer: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
SOAP notes consist of Subjective (client-reported), Objective (therapist-observed), Assessment (findings), and Plan (treatment goals).
Question 6: A client presents with edema in the lower extremities following a long flight. Before proceeding, the therapist should most importantly:
- Apply deep petrissage to reduce swelling
- Ask if the client has a history of deep vein thrombosis (Correct answer)
- Elevate the legs and begin effleurage immediately
- Refer to a lymphatic drainage specialist only
Correct answer: Ask if the client has a history of deep vein thrombosis
DVT is a serious contraindication because massage could dislodge a clot and cause pulmonary embolism.
Question 7: Which of the following is an example of a local contraindication for massage?
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Fever above 100°F
- Active herpes outbreak on the lower back (Correct answer)
- Recent myocardial infarction
Correct answer: Active herpes outbreak on the lower back
An active herpes outbreak is a local contraindication, meaning massage should be avoided in that specific area but can continue elsewhere.
NCBTMB Client Assessment and Treatment 2
During a postural assessment, a client displays elevated right shoulder and a lowered left hip.
This pattern most likely indicates: