Client Assessment and Planning Flashcards

A client reports taking warfarin for a heart condition. Which assessment consideration is most important before proceeding with massage?

Answer: Assess for bruising tendency and avoid deep pressure techniques

Warfarin is a blood thinner that increases bruising risk, so deep pressure and techniques that could cause tissue trauma must be avoided.

During a postural assessment, you observe that a client's right shoulder is elevated compared to the left. This finding most likely indicates:

Answer: Possible muscle imbalance or hypertonia on the right side

Elevated shoulder typically suggests hypertonicity or shortening of the upper trapezius and levator scapulae on that side.

A client presents with edema in both lower legs following a long flight. The therapist's FIRST action should be to:

Answer: Rule out deep vein thrombosis before proceeding with any massage

Edema after prolonged immobility raises concern for DVT, which is a contraindication to massage and requires medical clearance first.

When documenting a client's pain using a SOAP note, where would you record the client's verbal description of their pain as 'a 7 out of 10, burning sensation'?

Answer: S — Subjective

Client-reported information, including verbal pain descriptions and ratings, is recorded in the Subjective section of the SOAP note.

A new client has a history of recent (2-week-old) muscle strain in the lumbar region. The appropriate treatment planning response is:

Answer: Limit treatment to gentle techniques in the acute-subacute transition phase

A 2-week-old strain is in the subacute phase where gentle, supportive techniques are appropriate, but aggressive deep work remains contraindicated.

Which question during a health intake is MOST useful for identifying systemic contraindications to massage?

Answer: Do you have any diagnosed medical conditions or take any medications?

Medical conditions and medications are the primary indicators of systemic contraindications that would require treatment modifications.

A client mentions they have fibromyalgia and are experiencing a flare-up today. The BEST planning decision is to:

Answer: Use lighter pressure, shorter session, and focus on relaxation techniques

During fibromyalgia flare-ups, clients are hypersensitive to pressure, so gentle, shorter sessions focused on relaxation are most appropriate.