AMTA MBLEx (English) Exam Questions

Page 2 of 50

21.

Massage has a known impact on T cell activity, improving immune function and benefiting the client's:

  • Lymphatic system

  • Respiratory system

  • Nervous system

  • Integumentary system

Correct answer: Lymphatic system

Massage has a known impact on T cell activity, improving immune function and benefiting the client's lymphatic system. Other benefits of massage to the lymphatic system include alleviating the symptoms of lymphedema, stimulating lymph circulation, and encouraging the body to process and remove toxins. 

The respiratory system is responsible for breathing.

The nervous system receives stimuli and controls the body's voluntary and involuntary responses.

The integumentary system includes the skin.

22.

A new client comes to the clinic with reports of pain in the mid-portion of the calf and also in the arch of the foot. He states the pain has started gradually over the course of several weeks. Based on the information given, what is the most likely source of this client's pain?

  • A trigger point in the gastrocnemius

  • A trigger point in the soleus

  • A trigger point in the peroneus longus

  • A trigger point in the abductor hallucis

Correct answer: A trigger point in gastrocnemius

The gastrocnemius is located on the posterior aspect of the calf. It is a large muscle in which trigger points commonly occur. Trigger points can create pain in areas far away from the muscle/trigger point itself. Trigger points in the gastrocnemius refer pain to the mid-calf and the arch of the foot.

A trigger point in the soleus would produce pain in the mid-portion and inferior portions of the calf, but not in the arch of the foot. In the peroneus longus, a trigger point would produce pain along the lateral calf, while a trigger point in the abductor hallucis would produce pain along the first metatarsal.

23.

You are performing hand massage techniques for a 50-year-old woman after having a hard cast removed due to metacarpal fracture. At this point, she is unable to bring her thumb across to reach her small digit (5th digit). Which thumb motion being described is restricted?

  • Thumb opposition

  • Thumb abduction

  • Thumb adduction

  • Thumb extension

Correct answer: Thumb opposition

Thumb opposition is the movement of the thumb across the palmar aspect to make contact with the fingers. It is the motion of bringing the thumb to touch the other digits and is important for fine motor tasks such as writing, grasping, and sewing.

Thumb abduction is the anterior movement that brings the thumb to a 90° perpendicular position, pointing straight out from the palm. Thumb adduction returns the thumb from that position, bringing it parallel to the palm of the hand. 

Thumb extension describes moving the thumb to increase the angle away from the hand, in the same plane as the palm. Thumb flexion brings the thumb across the front of the palm but does not include bending the other digits to meet the palm in its position against the palm.

24.

Which of the following options is a benefit that a massage provides to the nervous system?

  • Pain relief

  • The increase of blood flow to the skin

  • Improved respiration

  • The removal of toxins

Correct answer: Pain relief

Massage benefits the nervous system by relieving pain. This is one of many ways massage improves nervous system function. Nociceptors are sensory pain receptors in the somatic nervous system. Massage can temporarily alleviate noxious stimuli via the gate theory mechanism, or more permanently by addressing the cause of pain. 

Massage benefits the integumentary system by increasing blood flow to the skin. It benefits the respiratory system by improving breathing. It benefits the cardiovascular system by removing toxins.

25.

Which of the following is not a requirement to become a massage therapist?

  • Clientele

  • Experience

  • Certification

  • Education

Correct answer: Clientele

An individual does not need clientele to become a massage therapist. A massage therapist will start to build a client base once they begin to practice.

An individual does need to be qualified by education, experience, certification, licensing, and the national exam to become a massage therapist.

26.

Complex molecules are broken down and energy is released during:

  • Catabolism

  • Anabolism

  • Metabolism

  • Mitosis

Correct answer: Catabolism

During catabolism, complex molecules are broken down and energy is released. This is one function that falls under the umbrella of metabolism, which is the process in which energy is released or used by the cells.

Anabolism, another function of metabolism, is a chemical reaction that uses energy to join simple molecules together to form more complex molecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Mitosis is another word for cell division, in which the cell duplicates itself.

27.

A massage therapist is treating a client with bursitis. Which of the following techniques should not be used when working with this client?

  • Massage directly over the affected area

  • Targeted massage techniques

  • Generalized massage techniques

  • Massage of the surrounding area

Correct answer: Massage directly over the affected area

Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa that sits between muscle and bone to reduce friction. Massage therapy can be very beneficial for clients with bursitis as long as treatment is not performed directly over the bursa. 

General massage and massage of the surrounding area are appropriate for bursitis. Targeted massage, relieving any pathology of muscles controlling the affected joint, may be especially helpful in this case. 

28.

Which of the following lymph nodes are located around one’s knees?

  • Popliteal nodes

  • Cervical nodes

  • Axillary nodes

  • Pectoral nodes

Correct answer: Popliteal nodes

The popliteal nodes are located around one’s knees. The popliteal lymph nodes, small in size and some six or seven in number, are embedded in the fat contained in the popliteal fossa, sometimes referred to as the 'knee pit'.

Cervical nodes are located around one’s neck. Axillary nodes are located around one’s armpit. Pectoral nodes are located around one’s breast.

29.

What occurs when the therapist personalizes the professional relationship and is unable to separate the professional relationship from personal feelings and expectations for the client?

  • Countertransference

  • Transference

  • Contraindications

  • Therapeutic relationship

Correct answer: Countertransference

Countertransference is when the massage therapist personalizes their professional relationship with the client. The feelings could be positive or negative, but are too personal for a therapeutic relationship.

Transference occurs when the client personalizes their professional relationship with the massage therapist. Contraindications are conditions that render a particular treatment undesirable or harmful. A therapeutic relationship is created by the interpersonal structure with respect for professional boundaries between professionals and their clients.

30.

A client comes to a massage therapist with reports of chronic pain. The client states the pain began in his low back five years ago after falling off a ladder. He has experienced low back pain ever since, and now feels pain in the cervical and thoracic spine as well. The therapist notes the patient is extremely sensitive to touch and feels pain with nearly any touch to his lumbar or thoracic region.

What must the therapist consider?

  • The client may have central sensitization and would benefit from a multidisciplinary approach.

  • The client may have an acute exacerbation of chronic low back pain.

  • The client may be having a heart attack.

  • The client may have kidney stones.

Correct answer: The client has central sensitization and would benefit from a multidisciplinary approach.

Central sensitization occurs with chronic pain and is known to increase the responsiveness of the central nervous system to pain. Clients with central sensitization experience significant widespread pain and severe sensitivity to touch. This is a complex condition that clinicians are still learning about, but the client would certainly benefit from working with multiple types of practitioners. 

An acute exacerbation of low back pain would indicate that at some point the client has experienced an overall reduction followed by a return of pain. Acute pain will also likely not present, as this client reports widespread pain. Symptoms of a heart attack tend to be more localized in the chest and left arm. While kidney stones may present with pain in the lumbar region, this would be acute-onset pain and not present for the last five years.

31.

A client comes to a massage therapy clinic after falling on her wrist three days ago. Her physician has diagnosed her with a wrist sprain and approved massage therapy. Upon assessment, the wrist appears visibly swollen, is painful, slightly warm to the touch, and an impression is left on the tissue with palpation.

What is the most appropriate treatment for this client?

  • Lymphatic drainage for the area, light passive range of motion, full body massage

  • Venous drainage for the area, stretching of the wrist into flexion and extension

  • Lymphatic drainage for the area, contract-relax techniques for all ranges of wrist range of motion

  • This client is not yet a candidate for treatment.

Correct answer: Lymphatic drainage for the area, light passive range of motion, full body massage

This injury is still in the acute stage of tissue healing. Swelling, heat, and pain are all very common symptoms of a recent wrist sprain. The presence of pitting edema further confirms swelling in the area; lymphatic drainage is an effective treatment for this condition. Light passive range of motion to reduce pain levels and full body massage to promote healing are both appropriate in this stage of healing. 

Even though some heat is noticed it the area, it is still appropriate to treat this client since she has been cleared by her physician and the joint does not demonstrate any visible redness. Venous drainage would be most appropriate for congestion rather than swelling. Stretching and contract-relax techniques are appropriate for the late subacute and chronic phases of healing, not the acute stage.

32.

What muscle abducts the hip and stabilizes the pelvis during the stance phase of gait?

  • Gluteus medius

  • Gluteus maximus

  • Obturator externus

  • Sartorius

Correct answer: Gluteus medius

The gluteus medius muscle abducts the hip and stabilizes the pelvis during the stance phase of gait. It originates at the external surface of the ilium inferior to the iliac crest and inserts on the lateral surface of the greater trochanter of the femur.

Gluteus maximus extends and laterally rotates the thigh at the hip joint. It originates at the posterior gluteal line of the ilium, the dorsal surface of the sacrum, and the side of the coccyx. It inserts into the iliotibial band of the fascia lata and the gluteal tuberosity of the femur. Obturator externus controls medial rotation of the thigh. It originates on the external surface of the obturator membrane and the margins of the obturator foramen. It inserts into the trochanteric fossa of the femur. Sartorius flexes, laterally rotates, and abducts the thigh (not the hip); it also flexes and medially rotates the leg at the knee joint in certain positions. It originates at the ASIS and inserts at the proximal anteromedial tibia.

33.

Of the following options, which is not a mechanical force that can be produced by massage techniques?

  • Field force

  • Shear loading

  • Bending stress

  • Torsion

Correct answer: Field force

A field force is not a type of mechanical force. Gravity and magnetism are both examples of field forces. Field forces are not produced by massage techniques.

Shear loading is produced when tissues are made to slide against other tissues, as with frictioning techniques. Bending stress is a combination of compression and tension stress. Torsion is best described as pushing and pulling. 

34.

A client visits a massage therapy clinic 20 days after a fall on his bicycle. He saw his doctor immediately afterward and has been cleared of serious pathology. He has been having some shoulder pain as a result of the fall and has a large cut over his shoulder that is closed; a scar has begun to form at the site of the injury.

What is the best treatment strategy for this client?

  • Light mobilization of the scar in the direction of the fibers, active and passive range of motion of the shoulder from 20 degrees of flexion to 90 degrees

  • Cross-friction mobilization of the scar, stretching of the shoulder into flexion and abduction

  • Cross-friction mobilization of the scar and resisted range of motion of the shoulder into 180 degrees of flexion

  • Friction mobilization of the scar away from the injury site, passive range of motion of the shoulder only in the range of 20 to 90 degrees of flexion

Correct answer: Light mobilization of the scar in the direction of the fibers, active and passive range of motion of the shoulder from 20 degrees of flexion to 90 degrees 

This client is in the subacute phase of healing since his accident occurred 20 days ago. The subacute phase occurs between 14 and 21 days after the injury, and the healing tissue is fragile. Collagen formation and granulation tissue appear in this phase. Clinically, the massage therapist should focus sessions on promoting a mobile scar, cautious soft tissue mobilization of the scar toward the injury, active and passive range of motion in mid-ranges, and full-body massage to support healing. Light mobilization of the scar in the direction of the fibers promotes a mobile scar while still protecting the healing tissue. Active and passive range of motion of the shoulder from 20 to 90 degrees of flexion is limited to mid-range in order to support controlled motion. 

Cross friction of the scar or mobilization in a direction away from the injury should be avoided at this phase since the scar tissue is not strong enough to tolerate it yet. Stretching of the shoulder should be avoided since, in this phase, the shoulder should be treated in mid-ranges; stretching implies end-range movement. Resisted range of motion of the shoulder should be implemented in the chronic phase of healing, not the subacute phase.

35.

A 78-year-old client who fell one month ago is currently receiving a massage. The client lost her balance and fell on her back, which has been sore ever since. She has been cleared by her physician of all serious pathology. The focus during sessions has been relaxation, so the massage therapist has lit traditional candles to provide a calming environment. At the beginning of the session, before the client has a chance to sit down, the therapist leaves the room briefly to answer a coworker's question, then returns to the room and begins the massage.

What is unsafe about this scenario?

  • Leaving the room, lighting candles

  • Treating after a fall

  • Working with a 78-year-old client

  • Lighting candles, treating after a fall

Correct answer: Leaving the room, lighting candles

This client should be considered a fall risk since she recently had a fall. As a result, this client should never be left alone in the room, especially while standing. Additionally, open flames should never be present in a massage room due to the risk of a fire. This includes open-flame candles and incense. 

While caution should be used when treating a client after a fall, she has already been cleared by her physician, so the therapist may proceed with massage. Caution should be used when working with older clients, but this client's age is not a reason to refuse treatment.

36.

When assessing a client for range of motion, the massage therapist notices the client has five degrees of hip extension. What would be an appropriate intervention to improve this?

  • Contract and relax the psoas, then contract the gluteus maximus while moving the client into hip extension

  • Contract and relax the gluteus maximus, then contract the psoas while moving the client into hip extension

  • Contract and relax the psoas, then contract the gluteus maximus while moving the client into hip flexion

  • Contract and relax the gluteus maximus, then contract the psoas while moving the client into hip flexion

Correct answer: Contract and relax the psoas, then contract the gluteus maximus while moving the client into hip extension

Given the available information, it is likely that a shortened psoas is the cause of this client's decreased hip extension. One way for the therapist to improve the length of the psoas is by using the contract-relax-antagonist-contract muscle energy technique. This is performed by first having the client contract the targeted muscle (the psoas), then relax, followed by contraction of the antagonist (the gluteus maximus) while stretching the target tissue. 

In order to improve the length of the psoas, the client must be moved into hip extension at the end of this technique, not hip flexion. The target tissue, in this case, is the psoas, so this must be contracted first, not the gluteus maximus.

37.

What is the function of growth hormone (GH)?

  • Promotes cell division and tissue repair

  • Contributes to parental bonding, feelings of attachment, and lactation

  • Contributes to mood regulation and pain modulation

  • Influences motor activity and elevated mood

Correct answer: Promotes cell division and tissue repair

Growth hormone (GH) stimulates most cells to divide and grow in size. This is useful for both muscle growth and the repair of damaged tissue. As we age, the total amount of GH produced by the body declines.

Oxytocin contributes to bonding and feelings of attachment, and is also important in lactation. Serotonin regulates mood and mood lifters that support satiety. Dopamine influences motor activity and mood.

38.

An individual’s thyroid can be found:

  • Below the larynx in the neck

  • Below the thalamus in the center of the brain

  • Below the thalamus and the hypothalamus in the center of the brain

  • Just above the kidneys

Correct answer: Below the larynx in the neck

An individual’s thyroid can be found below the larynx in the neck. It is contraindicated to massage directly over the thyroid. The thyroid functions as part of the endocrine system and regulates metabolism.

The hypothalamus can be found below the thalamus in the center of the brain. The pituitary gland can be found below the thalamus and the hypothalamus in the center of the brain. The adrenal glands can be found just above the kidneys.

39.

You ask your client to move their shoulder downwards. What joint movement are you asking your client to perform?

  • Depression

  • Elevation

  • Retraction

  • Protraction

Correct answer: Depression

Depression is the joint movement that occurs when the shoulder is moved downward.

Elevation is the joint movement that occurs when the shoulder is lifted upward.

Retraction is the joint movement that occurs when the shoulder is moved backward.

Protraction is the joint movement that occurs when the should is moved forward.

40.

Which of the following is not a massage benefit for one’s skeletal system?

  • Stimulates the sensation of touch

  • Improves the range of motion of joints

  • Improves the joints' flexibility

  • Improves the spine’s curvature

Correct answer: Stimulating the sense of touch

A massage does not benefit the skeletal system by stimulating the sensation of touch. The integumentary and neurologic systems' benefits include the stimulation of touch.

The massage benefits for the skeletal system are the improvement of the joints' range of motion, the improvement of the joints' flexibility, and the improvement of the spine’s curvature.