NCBTMB Client Assessment and Treatment 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client presents with a forward head posture. Which muscles are most likely to be shortened and hypertonic?
- Deep cervical flexors and rhomboids
- Suboccipital muscles and pectoralis minor (Correct answer)
- Middle trapezius and serratus anterior
- Splenius capitis and scalenes
Correct answer: Suboccipital muscles and pectoralis minor
Forward head posture shortens the suboccipital muscles and anterior chest muscles including pectoralis minor due to the head and shoulder positioning.
Question 2: During a treatment session, a client suddenly reports chest tightness and shortness of breath. The therapist should:
- Continue massage to help the client relax
- Stop massage, have the client sit upright, and call emergency services (Correct answer)
- Apply pressure to the heart reflex points on the feet
- Perform percussion over the thoracic region to open airways
Correct answer: Stop massage, have the client sit upright, and call emergency services
Chest tightness and shortness of breath are potential cardiac or pulmonary emergency signs requiring immediate cessation of treatment and emergency response.
Question 3: Which outcome measurement tool is commonly used by massage therapists to assess functional disability related to neck pain?
- Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
- Neck Disability Index (NDI) (Correct answer)
- Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)
- DASH questionnaire
Correct answer: Neck Disability Index (NDI)
The Neck Disability Index is a validated self-report tool specifically designed to measure functional disability caused by neck pain.
Question 4: A client undergoing chemotherapy wishes to receive massage. The therapist should:
- Decline all services until chemotherapy is completed
- Obtain physician clearance and use gentle, adapted techniques (Correct answer)
- Avoid only the port site and proceed with deep tissue massage
- Focus exclusively on reflexology as it is always safe
Correct answer: Obtain physician clearance and use gentle, adapted techniques
Clients in chemotherapy can benefit from massage with medical clearance, but techniques must be adapted for compromised immunity, fatigue, and treatment side effects.
Question 5: Thomas Test is used to assess tightness of which muscle group?
- Hamstrings
- Hip flexors (particularly iliopsoas) (Correct answer)
- Hip external rotators
- Quadriceps
Correct answer: Hip flexors (particularly iliopsoas)
The Thomas Test evaluates hip flexor flexibility, particularly the iliopsoas, by observing whether the opposite leg rises when one knee is pulled to the chest.
Question 6: When documenting a treatment session, the therapist notes: 'Client reports 6/10 pain in the right shoulder, worse when reaching overhead.' This information belongs in which SOAP section?
- Objective
- Assessment
- Plan
- Subjective (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Subjective
Client-reported symptoms, pain ratings, and activity limitations are subjective information recorded in the 'S' section of SOAP notes.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the purpose of a health intake form before a first massage session?
- Establish rapport with the client through casual conversation
- Identify contraindications, precautions, and customize treatment safely (Correct answer)
- Fulfill insurance billing requirements only
- Determine whether the client can afford ongoing sessions
Correct answer: Identify contraindications, precautions, and customize treatment safely
The health intake form identifies medical conditions, medications, and lifestyle factors that guide safe, individualized treatment planning.
NCBTMB Client Assessment and Treatment 4
A client presents with a forward head posture.
Which muscles are most likely to be shortened and hypertonic?