FSMTB MBLEx Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination Exam Practice Test

The term anatomical snuff box or rather, “snuff box“ was coined by using the space between the tendons of the extensor pollicus longus and the extensor pollicus brevis (and the abductor pollicus longus) as a place to hold snuff tobacco.

The temporalis muscle has one action and that is to clench the jaw during mastication. The best way to locate and palpate the temporalis muscle is to instruct the client to clench and release their jaw while the therapist feels for the origin and insertion of muscle fibers along the temporal bone.

The S is for subjective, which is a description of the client’s experience.

A strict order to not treat by a medical doctor should always be honored, especially in the case of a medical condition that can be adversely affected by massage. If the client insists on massage, then the massage therapist should recommend that the client obtain a second opinion and an authorization letter or prescription from another doctor.

The radial nerve innervates all muscles of the posterior arm and this includes the triceps muscle.

Any client who routinely requests to explore beyond the professional environment is testing the boundaries and professionalism of the therapist. Remember, the therapist is always at fault for allowing a breach of professional boundaries. The repercussions can lead to a hefty fine and/or loss of a massage license.

Despite their name, the lumbricals are located in the hands and feet and assist with movement of the phalanges in both locations.

The clavicle connects to the scapula at the acromion process and this juncture is called the acromioclavicular joint.

Boundaries are integral to maintaining a healthy physical and emotional space within the therapeutic relationship.

The thymus is a very special organ of the immune system. It functions to train T-lymphocytes to adapt to pathogens and disorders within the body to maintain homeostasis.

Hard end feel is the natural sensation at the end range of motion where bone meets bone such as elbow or knee extension. Since a hard end feel would indicate that the client’s joints are functioning normally, there would typically be no pain experienced.

Phantom pain is a phenomenon where a person experiences sensations of a limb or body part after it has been amputated. Phantom sensations have also occurred in people with removed organs and after a mastectomy.

There are various forms of myocytes in the body, but it is the cardiac myosytes that are responsible for generating the electrical impulses that control heart rate.

A joint that feels restricted and lacking in movement is hypomobile. A joint that is lax and loose would be hypermobile.

The purpose of the excretory system is to regulate the chemical composition of the body by removing metabolic waste and to monitor the proper amount of water, salts and nutrients. The integumentary, digestive and respiratory system all play a minor role in the excretory system. However, the urinary system is responsible for the excretion of fluid to maintain homeostasis.

The Phalen’s test requires the client to firmly press the backs of the hands together for a duration up to a minute. If the client experiences pain, tingling or numbness in the thumb, index, middle and lateral half of the ring finger along the palmar side, then the test is positive for a carpal tunnel compression. The test can be done in reverse with palms pressed firmly together.

The vastus lateralis is the largest quadriceps muscle with its origin starting superiorly to the intertrochanteric line and inserting into the lateral border of the patella.

The mitochondria within a cell handles the task of breaking down glucose molecules to release energy.

HIPAA or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, was established in 1996 to restrict access to individuals private medical records in an effort to protect patient/client rights.

Kinesthesia is another term for proprioception, or the ability of a person to perceive their own movement.

The median nerve passes through the flexor retinaculum of the hand.

Coming down with a cold directly affects the client within the therapeutic environment. The other three choices are irrelevant to a client.

There are three arches in a normal human foot. These are the medial longitudinal arch, the lateral longitudinal arch and the transverse arch.

Tennis elbow affects the extensor muscles of the forearm and is attributed to the tearing of flexor muscles during impact of a back hand swing.

The circadian rhythm is a term used to describe biological process that are governed by external factors like light and darkness or temperature. The circadian rhythm was first recorded in the 4th century BC and has been researched ever since. The evidence points to this clock being reset every 24 hours.

The radial nerve runs a path from the brachial plexus between the scapula and the rib cage and through the tricep muscle along the posterior arm and through the extensors of the forearm and into the back of the hand.

A latent trigger point only produces pain during palpation.

The anatomical term “condyle” refers to a rounded articular process as in the medial or lateral condyles of the femur which articulate with the condyles of the tibia.

A client that expresses feelings above and beyond the typical role as a client is seen as demonstrating transference. Being overly special can be seen as a red flag, especially in early stages of the therapeutic relationship.

Phasic muscles are fast twitch muscles and are best suited for quick movements. The triceps brachii and deltoid muscles are typically used for movements and do not have a postural role. They are also prone to inhibition as well as fatigue.

The cell is the basic building block of all living things. Cells are organized into tissues having specialized properties and functions. Tissues are further organized into organs (and organ systems).

The ulna is stationary during wrist rotation.

Psychosomatic pain is often caused by emotional distress and thus has no know physical cause. Psychosomatic pain can be a result from a broken heart after a break up, feelings of being inadequate or from any number of depressive thought patterns.

Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels in the body. Arterioles are the connecting vessels between arteries and capillaries. Venules are the connecting vessels between capillaries and veins.

Stretch reflex or myotatic reflex is an automatic muscle contraction in response to a stretching of muscle fibers. In this case, during the event of losing balance, muscles are stretched and triggered to automatically contract as a means of regaining balance.

The P is for plan, which details what the next step is for the client. The plan could suggest stretch and exercise options, whether there should be additional care with a doctor or determine future visits with the practitioner.

Skeletal muscle contraction occurs when an action potential from the brain reaches the neuromuscular junction. It causes a calcium ion influx which starts the process of a muscle contraction.

The infraglenoid tubercle is the attachment site of the long head of the triceps brachii and is located at the most superior aspect of the lateral border of the scapula.

The anatomical term “linea” refers to a line or long ridge, such as the attachment site of the hamstrings along the linea aspera on the posterior aspect of the femur.

The talus is also known as the ankle bone to which the tibia and fibula connect. The other bone of the hindfoot region is the calcaneus also known as the heel.

The hepatic duct transports bile secreted in the liver into the gall bladder. The gall bladder stores and concentrates bile. The bile duct releases bile from the gall bladder into the small intestine.

Power imbalances occur naturally when one person is perceived as being an authority over another in a certain situation. This is why the dynamics between a client and a professional of all backgrounds has the capability of becoming emotionally unbalanced if left unchecked.

When a therapist applies force against an active movement during an assessment, they are providing resistive ROM. This is used to test for muscle strength and weakness.

The Adson maneuver is used to determine a thoracic outlet compression. To conduct the Adson maneuver, a massage therapist places the clients arm into horizontal abduction on the affected side to a 45 degree angle while rotating their head toward the affected side. The massage therapist then instructs the client to extend their head which tightens the scalene muscles, which should magnify any preexisting compression of the subclavian artery and brachial plexus. The massage therapist palpates for a decrease in the radial pulse while the client takes deep breathes to exaggerate the compression.

The ulnar nerve runs along the ulna and into the pinky finger and medial half of the ring finger.

The A is for assessment, which is a summary of our findings.

Skeletal muscles are reddish because they contain the red pigment myoglobin. Myoglobin is a globular protein similar to hemoglobin, the pigment in red blood cells that transports oxygen. Myoglobin also binds oxygen, making it available to skeletal muscles during muscle contraction.

A crush or love interest is a natural occurrence, especially when a massage therapist is viewed as safe, comforting and a truly caring individual. However, acting on these natural feelings oversteps the boundaries and threatens the very ethos of the healing culture of massage therapy.

Metabolism is the process of chemical transformations within the body. These transformations can be caused by means of a physical stimulus or messages from the CNS. Massage therapy can provide both a mechanical and reflexive influence upon metabolism and this creates metabolic effect upon the body.

Thrombocytes or platelets, are essential to blood clotting. Thrombocytes create platelet plugs by releasing prothrombin at an injury site that bonds with calcium to form a clot.

Stratum lucidum is a translucent buildup of two to three layers of dead skin cells typically found on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet. Stratum lucidum is located between the deeper stratum granulosum and the more superficial stratum corneum layers of skin. The thickness of stratum layers of cells is governed by the rate of mitosis (cellular division.)

The alveoli also known as the pulmonary alveolus is the anatomical structure of the lung that has a hollow cavity in which air is compressed and then exchanged with blood. There is roughly 170 alveoli in one square millimeter in the functional structure (parenchyma) of the lung.

The time to collect information about a physical complaint or injury is during the intake process.

Long bones possess a cartilaginous zone between the diaphysis (midsection) and the epiphysis (end) called the epiphyseal plate. During childhood this allows the bone to continue growing in length. At some point the cartilage ossifies (becomes bone tissue), leaving a line of demarcation, the epiphyseal line. This indicates the bone has reached its adult length and no further growth in length will occur. However, the bone can continue to grow in diameter.

Wrist abduction is another term for radial deviation of the wrist. Of the muscles listed, the extensor carpi radialis is the muscle responsible for wrist abduction, which is to laterally extend the wrist away from the body while in correct anatomical position.

A Golgi tendon organ or GTO provides the sensory component to the Golgi tendon reflex, a phenomenon that protects a muscle/tendon from an excessive load or stretch.

A reflex arc is a neural pathway that allows for the activation of spinal motor neurons to trigger without involving the brain for a response.

Keloids are a type of scar tissue with an overgrowth of type 3 collagen fibers, creating firm, often shiny fibrous nodules. Cross fiber friction is best suited to break up and smooth over keloid tissue.

Sepsis is a serious immunity response and inflammation of the entire body. It is often caused by a pathogenic infection but sometimes the condition can arise from or is complicated by an organ malfunction. Some symptoms are high fever, irregular heart and breathing rate, altered mental state and edema pathology.

The alimentary canal is the passageway from the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and ends at the anus. This canal is also the digestive tract.

Speaking about a client to another client, a client’s friend, or even the client’s family member is a violation of confidentiality. However, we do not need to be rude to maintain our professionalism. Simply suggesting that your client speak to his wife is a perfectly acceptable response.

Nephro and nephr both refer to the kidneys. An example is nephritis, which is an inflammation of the kidneys.

A

The massage code of ethics is a standard of conduct that defines ethical behavior for a massage therapist. The question lists principles of the massage code of ethics.

There are times when undraping sensitive areas for treatment is within the scope of practice of massage. However, a massage therapist who routinely drapes in an unprofessional manner is breaking a standard of conduct indicated in the massage code of ethics.

Olfaction is the sense of smell. Special sensory cells in the nasal cavity called olfactory sensors are designed to transmit the sense of smell via the detection of odor molecules.

A hernia occurs when an organ, or the surrounding fascial tissue of the organ, protrudes through the wall or membrane that contains it. Hernias can occur at various points within the body and are often named by their location. This question deals with an inguinal hernia. Hernias are classified as either reducible hernias or irreducible hernias. Reducible hernias can be manually reversed by applying direct pressure whereas irreducible hernias need surgery to reverse the condition.

A z-line is the dark band that separate sarcomeres and forms the borders where actin molecules within a muscle combine.

Neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils are the three types of granular leukocytes (white blood cells) of the immune system which consume infectious diseases and foreign materials.

The linea aspera is comprised of three raised ridges along the posterior aspect of the femur. These ridges include a lateral, intermediate and medial and are caused by the insertion of muscles along each line.

All aspects of the integumentary system are affected by aging. These changes result in thinning of the skin layers, fewer active hair follicles, leading to thin, sparse hair and sebaceous activity, and reduced blood supply. There is also dryness due to reduced sweat.

The occipital muscles act to anchor the head during mastication but add stress and strain to the temporalis and masseter when the occipitals are hypertonic.

Systole or systolic pressure is the measured amount of force required by the heart to pump or squeeze blood out of its chambers.