Contraindications & Risk Factors Flashcards

Which of the following maternal infections is considered a systemic contraindication for full-body prenatal massage?

Answer: Active influenza with fever

Active influenza with fever is a systemic contraindication because massage can increase metabolic demand, spread infection risk, and worsen maternal fever.

A client at 36 weeks mentions she has been diagnosed with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). Which statement best describes how this affects massage?

Answer: ICP increases fetal distress risk; medical clearance is required and deep abdominal massage should be avoided

ICP is a serious liver condition associated with sudden fetal demise; physician clearance is essential and any technique potentially stressing the abdomen or liver is contraindicated.

Why is deep work directly over varicose veins a local contraindication in prenatal clients?

Answer: Pressure can damage fragile vessel walls, dislodge a thrombus, or cause bruising and thrombophlebitis

Varicose veins have weakened, dilated walls prone to thrombus formation; direct pressure risks rupture, embolism, or local inflammation.

A client with a twin pregnancy (dichorionic-diamniotic) at 20 weeks asks about prenatal massage. The appropriate response is:

Answer: Obtain medical clearance because multifetal pregnancies carry higher complication risks

Multifetal pregnancies carry elevated risks for preterm labor, growth restriction, and other complications; medical clearance ensures massage is appropriate.

Rh incompatibility in a pregnant client is important to note because:

Answer: It is medically managed and may require extra caution with deep abdominal work that could cause fetal-maternal hemorrhage

Rh-negative mothers sensitized to Rh-positive fetal blood can experience serious fetal consequences; deep or aggressive abdominal techniques increasing trauma risk are cautioned against.

Which skin condition localized to the abdomen of a third-trimester client would be a local contraindication?

Answer: Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP) with open scratch lesions

PUPPP with open scratch lesions presents broken skin integrity and active inflammation, making it a local contraindication to direct massage over the affected area.

A client has a PICC line placed in her arm for hyperemesis gravidarum treatment. The therapist should:

Answer: Avoid any massage to the arm with the PICC line to prevent dislodgement or infection

A PICC line is an invasive medical device; massaging the arm risks dislodging the catheter, introducing infection, or causing phlebitis.