PMC Safety, Contraindications & Precautions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Why is deep pressure over the abdomen contraindicated when an infant has recently eaten?
- It causes immediate sleep
- It can induce vomiting and aspiration risk (Correct answer)
- It slows metabolism
- It disrupts liver enzyme activity
Correct answer: It can induce vomiting and aspiration risk
Deep abdominal pressure after feeding can cause regurgitation and create an aspiration risk, especially in infants.
Question 2: Massage is contraindicated on areas of a child's body that show signs of:
- Normal skin color
- Healthy muscle tone
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (Correct answer)
- Recent physical activity
Correct answer: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Massage over a suspected DVT can dislodge a clot and cause a pulmonary embolism, making it an absolute local contraindication.
Question 3: A child who has received chemotherapy within the past week should:
- Receive a full-body deep massage to stimulate the immune system
- Be seen only with oncologist clearance and using very light pressure (Correct answer)
- Be refused all touch-based therapy
- Receive hot stone therapy to improve circulation
Correct answer: Be seen only with oncologist clearance and using very light pressure
Children in active chemotherapy require oncologist clearance; massage may be beneficial but must be extremely gentle due to immune suppression and fragile blood values.
Question 4: What is the primary concern when massaging a child with osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease)?
- Increased skin sensitivity
- Risk of fracture from minimal pressure (Correct answer)
- Poor lymphatic drainage
- Hypersensitivity to oils
Correct answer: Risk of fracture from minimal pressure
Osteogenesis imperfecta causes extremely fragile bones that can fracture with very little force, requiring extreme caution or avoidance of massage.
Question 5: Massage for a child with spina bifida should avoid:
- The arms and hands
- Areas with diminished or absent sensation below the lesion level (Correct answer)
- The face and scalp
- All upper extremity work
Correct answer: Areas with diminished or absent sensation below the lesion level
Children with spina bifida may lack sensation below the lesion level, making it impossible for them to report pain or pressure-related injury.
Question 6: Which massage technique is specifically contraindicated in infants with hydrocephalus and a ventricular shunt?
- Leg effleurage
- Abdominal clockwise strokes
- Cranial or scalp massage near the shunt site (Correct answer)
- Chest stretches
Correct answer: Cranial or scalp massage near the shunt site
Direct pressure or massage near a ventricular shunt site can displace or occlude the shunt, causing a medical emergency.
PMC Safety, Contraindications & Precautions 2
Why is deep pressure over the abdomen contraindicated when an infant has recently eaten?