MBLEx Test Ethics, Boundaries, and Laws Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which of the following actions falls outside the established scope of practice for a massage therapist?

Accepted Answer

Diagnosing a client's chronic shoulder pain as 'adhesive capsulitis'.

Answer

Performing a general postural assessment.

Answer

Suggesting the client try alternating hot and cold packs at home.

Answer

Documenting subjective complaints of pain using a 1-10 scale.

Question 2

A long-term client, who is also a successful plumber, is short on cash and offers to fix a leaking faucet in the therapist's office in exchange for a 60-minute massage. This scenario is an example of:

Accepted Answer

A dual relationship.

Answer

Transference.

Answer

Countertransference.

Answer

Standard business practice.

Question 3

A therapist runs five minutes late for a client's appointment and, to compensate, extends the session by ten minutes without discussing it with the client first. This action is best described as a:

Accepted Answer

Boundary crossing.

Answer

Boundary violation.

Answer

Dual relationship.

Answer

Scope of practice violation.

Question 4

Before beginning the initial hands-on treatment for a new client, what is the massage therapist's MOST critical ethical and legal responsibility?

Accepted Answer

To obtain the client's informed consent.

Answer

To provide the client with a menu of all available services.

Answer

To ensure the treatment room is at a comfortable temperature.

Answer

To ask the client for the contact information of their primary care physician.

Question 5

A regular client who is a talented artist offers to give the massage therapist a valuable painting as a thank-you gift. Which of the following is the most ethical response?

Accepted Answer

Politely decline the gift, explaining the professional policy against accepting significant gifts to maintain clear boundaries.

Answer

Accept the gift to avoid hurting the client's feelings.

Answer

Accept the painting but insist on paying the client a discounted price for it.

Answer

Suggest the client donate the painting to the clinic's waiting room instead.

Question 6

Under which circumstance is a massage therapist, who is a HIPAA-covered entity, generally permitted to disclose a client's protected health information (PHI) without their explicit written authorization?

Accepted Answer

When required by law, such as in response to a court order or for public health reporting.

Answer

When a client's spouse calls to ask about their treatment progress.

Answer

When creating a marketing email to send to former clients.

Answer

When consulting with another massage therapist for advice on techniques.