Practice Test Geeks(PMC) Prenatal Massage Certification Practice Test
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Musculoskeletal Changes in Pregnancy Flashcards

7 cards from real PMC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Musculoskeletal Changes in Pregnancy flashcards as text

  1. Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) during pregnancy is characterized by pain at which anatomical location?

    Answer: Anterior midline pubic joint

    SPD involves pain and instability at the symphysis pubis, the cartilaginous joint at the anterior midline where the two pubic bones meet.

  2. A prenatal massage therapist notices a client's shoulders are rounding forward significantly in the second trimester. Which postural change most likely drives this compensatory pattern?

    Answer: Breast enlargement increasing anterior chest weight

    Breast enlargement increases anterior chest weight, pulling the shoulders forward and contributing to increased thoracic kyphosis during pregnancy.

  3. During pregnancy, the foot often flattens and lengthens due to which combination of factors?

    Answer: Ligament laxity and increased body weight

    Relaxin-induced ligament laxity combined with increased body weight causes the plantar arch to flatten and the foot to lengthen during pregnancy.

  4. Which position is safest for addressing low back pain via massage in a client who is 32 weeks pregnant?

    Answer: Side-lying with supportive pillows

    Side-lying (lateral recumbent) position with supportive pillows is the safest and most comfortable position for massage in the third trimester.

  5. Anterior pelvic tilt in pregnancy causes which muscle to become adaptively shortened?

    Answer: Iliopsoas

    Anterior pelvic tilt shortens and tightens the iliopsoas (hip flexors) while the opposing gluteal and abdominal muscles lengthen and weaken.

  6. Why does the pregnant client's gait often become wider-based (wider stance) during the second and third trimesters?

    Answer: Pelvic joint laxity requiring broader base of support

    Relaxin-induced laxity in pelvic ligaments reduces joint stability, so the body adopts a wider base of support to maintain balance.

  7. Which nerve root level is most commonly implicated in sciatica symptoms that develop during pregnancy?

    Answer: L4-L5 and L5-S1

    Pregnancy-related sciatica most commonly involves L4-L5 and L5-S1 nerve roots, which can be compressed by the enlarged uterus or piriformis muscle.