MBLEx Client Assessment and Treatment Questions and Answers Flashcards
6 cards from real Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 MBLEx Client Assessment and Treatment Questions and Answers flashcards as text
A client reports pain that increases with deep breathing and is localized along the ribcage. Which assessment finding would most likely indicate an intercostal muscle strain rather than a visceral referral?
Answer: Pain reproducible with palpation of the intercostal spaces
Intercostal strains produce point tenderness that is reproducible with direct palpation of the affected intercostal muscles.
During a postural assessment, a massage therapist observes that a client's right shoulder is significantly elevated compared to the left. Which muscle group should be assessed first for hypertonicity?
Answer: Right upper trapezius and levator scapulae
An elevated shoulder most commonly results from hypertonicity of the upper trapezius and levator scapulae on the ipsilateral side.
A client with a history of thoracic outlet syndrome presents for massage therapy. Which orthopedic test is most appropriate to include in the initial assessment?
Answer: Adson's test
Adson's test assesses for compression of the neurovascular bundle in the thoracic outlet by monitoring the radial pulse during head rotation.
When documenting a client's pain using the SOAP note format, where should the therapist record the client's self-reported pain level of 7 out of 10?
Answer: Subjective section
Client self-reported information, including pain scales, is recorded in the Subjective section of a SOAP note.
A massage therapist performs range-of-motion testing on a client's cervical spine and finds that lateral flexion to the right is 25 degrees while left lateral flexion is 45 degrees. What does this asymmetry most likely suggest?
Answer: Restriction in the right lateral flexors or adhesion on the right side
Reduced lateral flexion toward one side typically indicates muscular restriction, adhesion, or joint dysfunction on that same side limiting movement.
A new client's intake form reveals they are currently taking anticoagulant medication. How should this information influence the therapist's treatment plan?
Answer: Avoid deep pressure techniques due to increased bruising risk
Anticoagulant medications increase bleeding and bruising risk, requiring the therapist to use lighter pressure and avoid aggressive techniques.