Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination Professional Ethics and Laws 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client discloses they are currently in psychotherapy and asks if the massage therapist can also provide emotional counseling during sessions. What is the most ethical response?
- Agree, since massage inherently involves emotional support
- Decline and explain that counseling is outside the scope of massage therapy practice (Correct answer)
- Offer limited counseling only if the client's therapist gives permission
- Refer the client to a different massage therapist who specializes in emotional work
Correct answer: Decline and explain that counseling is outside the scope of massage therapy practice
Providing counseling services falls outside the scope of practice for massage therapists, and doing so would constitute practicing without a license in another field.
Question 2: A massage therapist notices a client has an unusual mole that may indicate a skin condition. What is the appropriate action?
- Remove the mole using a sterile instrument
- Document the observation and refer the client to a physician (Correct answer)
- Massage over the area to stimulate circulation and healing
- Ignore it since diagnosing skin conditions is outside their role
Correct answer: Document the observation and refer the client to a physician
Massage therapists should document observations of potential health concerns and refer clients to the appropriate medical professional without making a diagnosis.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes the concept of informed consent in massage therapy?
- The client signs a waiver releasing the therapist from all liability
- The client agrees to receive massage after being told the techniques, benefits, and risks (Correct answer)
- The client's insurance company approves the treatment plan
- The therapist obtains consent from the client's primary care physician
Correct answer: The client agrees to receive massage after being told the techniques, benefits, and risks
Informed consent requires that the client receive and understand information about proposed treatment before voluntarily agreeing to it.
Question 4: A massage therapist learns that a colleague is practicing massage without a current license. What is the most appropriate action?
- Confront the colleague publicly at a professional meeting
- Report the unlicensed practice to the appropriate state licensing board (Correct answer)
- Do nothing, as it is not their professional responsibility
- Warn the colleague privately and take no further action regardless of the response
Correct answer: Report the unlicensed practice to the appropriate state licensing board
Reporting unlicensed practice to the state licensing board protects the public and upholds professional standards.
Question 5: Which principle requires a massage therapist to act in the best interest of the client rather than for personal gain?
- Autonomy
- Non-maleficence
- Beneficence (Correct answer)
- Justice
Correct answer: Beneficence
Beneficence is the ethical principle of acting in ways that benefit others and promote their well-being.
Question 6: A client who is a close personal friend asks for a significant discount on regular sessions in exchange for referring new clients. What ethical concern does this raise?
- Dual relationship and potential boundary violation (Correct answer)
- Violation of HIPAA privacy regulations
- Unauthorized fee-splitting arrangement
- Breach of informed consent protocols
Correct answer: Dual relationship and potential boundary violation
A dual relationship exists when a therapist has both a professional and a personal relationship with a client, which can compromise objectivity and professional boundaries.
Question 7: A massage therapist is subpoenaed to testify about a client's treatment records. What must the therapist do before disclosing this information in court?
- Refuse to testify since all client information is permanently privileged
- Obtain a signed authorization from the client or comply with the court order (Correct answer)
- Notify the state licensing board before appearing in court
- Destroy the records to protect client confidentiality
Correct answer: Obtain a signed authorization from the client or comply with the court order
A valid court order or subpoena is a legal exception to confidentiality that compels disclosure, though obtaining client authorization when possible is ideal.
Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination Professional Ethics and Laws 2
A client discloses they are currently in psychotherapy and asks if the massage therapist can also provide emotional counseling during sessions.
What is the most ethical response?