NCBTMB NCBTMB MCQ 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which Swedish massage technique involves lifting, squeezing, and rolling soft tissue between the fingers and thumbs?
- Effleurage
- Tapotement
- Petrissage (Correct answer)
- Vibration
Correct answer: Petrissage
Petrissage involves kneading, wringing, and rolling motions that compress and release tissue to improve circulation and reduce muscle tension.
Question 2: The thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) involves compression of structures passing through the thoracic outlet. Which structures are affected?
- Femoral nerve and artery
- Brachial plexus and subclavian vessels (Correct answer)
- Sciatic nerve and popliteal artery
- Median nerve and radial artery
Correct answer: Brachial plexus and subclavian vessels
TOS results from compression of the brachial plexus and/or subclavian artery and vein between the clavicle, first rib, and surrounding muscles.
Question 3: When is it appropriate for a massage therapist to share a client's confidential health information?
- When a colleague asks for advice on a case
- When required by law, such as mandatory reporting of abuse (Correct answer)
- When the client's family requests it
- When a supervisor asks during a staff meeting
Correct answer: When required by law, such as mandatory reporting of abuse
Confidentiality may be legally breached only in specific circumstances such as mandatory reporting of suspected abuse or when required by a court order.
Question 4: Which of the following is the correct sequence of connective tissue layers from superficial to deep?
- Skin → fascia superficialis → fascia profunda → periosteum (Correct answer)
- Periosteum → fascia profunda → fascia superficialis → skin
- Fascia profunda → fascia superficialis → skin → periosteum
- Skin → periosteum → fascia superficialis → fascia profunda
Correct answer: Skin → fascia superficialis → fascia profunda → periosteum
From the surface inward: skin (epidermis/dermis), superficial fascia (fascia superficialis), deep fascia (fascia profunda), and finally periosteum over bone.
Question 5: A client with fibromyalgia is best served by a massage session that emphasizes:
- Deep tissue techniques targeting trigger points aggressively
- Light-to-moderate pressure with a calming, systematic approach (Correct answer)
- Percussive techniques to stimulate the nervous system
- Prolonged static stretching of all major muscle groups
Correct answer: Light-to-moderate pressure with a calming, systematic approach
Fibromyalgia clients often have heightened pain sensitivity (central sensitization), so light-to-moderate pressure in a predictable, soothing sequence is best tolerated.
Question 6: The term 'origin' of a muscle refers to:
- The end of the muscle closest to the midline
- The muscle's attachment point on the more stationary bone (Correct answer)
- The point where the motor nerve enters the muscle
- The distal, more movable attachment of the muscle
Correct answer: The muscle's attachment point on the more stationary bone
The origin is the proximal or more fixed attachment of a muscle, while the insertion is the more movable, usually distal attachment.
Question 7: Which condition is characterized by inflammation of the plantar fascia causing heel pain that is worst with the first steps in the morning?
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Plantar fasciitis (Correct answer)
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Calcaneal bursitis
Correct answer: Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis involves microtears and inflammation of the plantar fascia at its calcaneal insertion, causing the classic morning 'start-up' pain.
NCBTMB NCBTMB MCQ 5
Which Swedish massage technique involves lifting, squeezing, and rolling soft tissue between the fingers and thumbs?