Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination Guidelines for Professional Practice 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client reveals during the intake that they had a recent surgery three weeks ago. What is the most appropriate action?
- Proceed with a full-body massage to aid recovery
- Obtain medical clearance and avoid the surgical site until healing is confirmed (Correct answer)
- Cancel all future sessions until the client is fully healed
- Massage only the surgical site to reduce scar tissue immediately
Correct answer: Obtain medical clearance and avoid the surgical site until healing is confirmed
Recent surgical sites require physician clearance before massage, and the area should be avoided until the provider confirms adequate healing.
Question 2: Which of the following is the correct approach when a client's medical condition is outside the therapist's knowledge base?
- Proceed with the session and rely on general massage principles
- Research the condition thoroughly using consumer websites and apply what seems relevant
- Consult reliable clinical resources and, if needed, contact the client's healthcare provider (Correct answer)
- Decline all clients with unfamiliar conditions
Correct answer: Consult reliable clinical resources and, if needed, contact the client's healthcare provider
Therapists are expected to use reliable clinical resources and collaborate with healthcare providers when a client has an unfamiliar medical condition.
Question 3: What does the term 'therapeutic relationship' mean in the context of massage therapy?
- A friendship that develops between therapist and client over time
- A professional relationship defined by ethical boundaries, trust, and clinical purpose (Correct answer)
- A legal contract between the therapist and client
- A relationship that continues even after the client stops receiving massage
Correct answer: A professional relationship defined by ethical boundaries, trust, and clinical purpose
The therapeutic relationship is a professional bond defined by clear ethical boundaries, the client's welfare as the priority, and a clinical rather than personal purpose.
Question 4: A massage therapist is working with a minor client. Which of the following is required?
- The minor may consent independently if they are over 14
- Informed consent must be obtained from a parent or legal guardian before treatment (Correct answer)
- Draping standards are relaxed for minors to accommodate their smaller body size
- Written parental consent is optional if the school nurse is present
Correct answer: Informed consent must be obtained from a parent or legal guardian before treatment
Minors cannot legally provide informed consent; a parent or legal guardian must give written permission before any massage treatment is administered.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes the concept of 'contraindication' in massage therapy?
- A technique that is simply uncomfortable for the client
- A condition or situation in which massage is inadvisable because it may cause harm (Correct answer)
- Any medical diagnosis that requires the therapist to refer out
- A client's personal preference against receiving massage
Correct answer: A condition or situation in which massage is inadvisable because it may cause harm
A contraindication is a clinical condition or circumstance in which massage therapy would be unsafe or likely to cause harm to the client.
Question 6: What is the appropriate way for a massage therapist to handle their own personal health issues that might affect clients?
- Continue working normally unless symptoms become severe
- Disclose all personal health history to each client
- Refrain from working when contagious or physically unable to provide safe care (Correct answer)
- Wear gloves as the sole infection-control measure
Correct answer: Refrain from working when contagious or physically unable to provide safe care
Therapists must not work when contagious or when their condition compromises client safety, as this is an ethical obligation to do no harm.
Question 7: A client who received a gift certificate requests a service the therapist does not provide. What is the correct response?
- Perform the service anyway to honor the gift certificate
- Explain the available services clearly and offer an appropriate substitute within scope (Correct answer)
- Refuse the client without explanation and void the certificate
- Contact the gift certificate purchaser to renegotiate the terms
Correct answer: Explain the available services clearly and offer an appropriate substitute within scope
The therapist should transparently explain which services are available and help the client choose an appropriate substitute that falls within the therapist's scope.
Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination Guidelines for Professional Practice 4
A client reveals during the intake that they had a recent surgery three weeks ago.
What is the most appropriate action?