NCBTMB General 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client presents with edema in one leg only after a long flight. What condition should the therapist suspect and how should they respond?
- Lymphedema; perform manual lymphatic drainage
- Deep vein thrombosis; refer immediately and do not massage (Correct answer)
- Muscle fatigue; apply deep effleurage to the calf
- Varicose veins; use light tapotement only
Correct answer: Deep vein thrombosis; refer immediately and do not massage
Unilateral leg edema after prolonged travel is a red flag for deep vein thrombosis, and massage could dislodge a clot causing a pulmonary embolism.
Question 2: Which of the following BEST defines the term 'scope of practice' for a massage therapist?
- The number of clients a therapist can see per day
- The range of services legally and professionally permitted for a licensed therapist (Correct answer)
- The therapist's personal preferences for treatment modalities
- The geographic area where a therapist is allowed to work
Correct answer: The range of services legally and professionally permitted for a licensed therapist
Scope of practice defines the procedures, actions, and processes permitted by law and professional standards for a given license.
Question 3: The rotator cuff is composed of which four muscles?
- Deltoid, teres major, biceps, triceps
- Supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis (Correct answer)
- Trapezius, rhomboid, levator scapulae, serratus anterior
- Pectoralis minor, coracobrachialis, brachialis, brachioradialis
Correct answer: Supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis
The rotator cuff consists of supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis — the SITS muscles.
Question 4: Which type of joint movement occurs when the angle between two bones decreases?
- Extension
- Abduction
- Flexion (Correct answer)
- Circumduction
Correct answer: Flexion
Flexion decreases the angle between articulating bones, such as bending the elbow or knee.
Question 5: A client reports tingling and numbness in the pinky and ring fingers. Which nerve is most likely affected?
- Median nerve
- Radial nerve
- Ulnar nerve (Correct answer)
- Musculocutaneous nerve
Correct answer: Ulnar nerve
The ulnar nerve innervates the ring and pinky fingers; compression or irritation of this nerve causes tingling in those digits.
Question 6: What is the primary goal of informed consent in massage therapy?
- To protect the therapist from liability lawsuits
- To ensure the client understands and agrees to the proposed treatment (Correct answer)
- To document the client's medical history
- To establish payment terms for services
Correct answer: To ensure the client understands and agrees to the proposed treatment
Informed consent ensures clients understand the nature, benefits, and risks of treatment and voluntarily agree before the session begins.
Question 7: Which physiological effect does slow, rhythmic effleurage typically produce?
- Increased sympathetic nervous system activity
- Stimulation of the stretch reflex
- Activation of the parasympathetic nervous system (Correct answer)
- Increased lactic acid production
Correct answer: Activation of the parasympathetic nervous system
Slow, rhythmic effleurage activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation, decreased heart rate, and reduced muscle tension.
NCBTMB General 4
A client presents with edema in one leg only after a long flight.
What condition should the therapist suspect and how should they respond?