MBLEx Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination Questions and Answers

Tibialis anterior muscle inserts into the medial or first cuneiform bone and the first metatarsal of the foot.

The cerebral cortex is the largest part of the brain and plays a key role in awareness, communication, consciousness and memory.

The plasma membrane is made of two layers of fat molecules that contain phosphorus and is also known as the phospholipid bilayer.

Carbohydrate digestions occurs mainly in the small intestine where the pancreatic digestive enzyme amylase converts starches into maltose which is then converted to glucose by the enzyme maltase. Sucrase converts sucrose to glucose and lactase converts lactose to glucose in the small intestine as well.

Form 1040ES is required for estimated tax liability especially if you expect to owe at least $1,000.00 in tax for the year. You are required to make estimated tax payments to avoid federal penalties. The practice of paying your quarterly estimated tax reduces the burden of paying a large sum all at once.

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 tendinoperiosteal junction is located between tendon and bone.

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.

The purpose of a functional assessment is to evaluate movement patterns and whether they are restricted, painful, exaggerated or normal in function.

The epiglottis is a fold of cartilaginous tissue located above the glottis in the pharynx. During normal swallowing the larynx moves upward and the epiglottis folds over the glottis. This prevents substances from entering the respiratory system.

The question describes the fundamentals of framework. A framework is all encompassing within the massage field and includes the values and visions, conception, design and desires of a massage therapist as they apply to a business model. Developing a solid framework is essential to creating a healthy and successful practice.

There are two primary types of circulation systems in nature, one being open and the other being closed. In humans, the blood never leaves the intricate webbing of blood vessels and is thus considered a closed circulatory system. An open circulatory system is one where blood and interstitial fluid move freely within an organism, as in the case of gastropods, otherwise known as snails.

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.

Mitosis is part process of cellular division in which a cell replicates its chromosomes and nucleus and divides them evenly into an identical cell.

The mitral valve is also known as the bicuspid, which controls blood flow between the opening of the left atrium into the left ventricle.

Cubital refers to the elbow and will indicate that region when used with anatomical terms as cubital fossa, cubital tunnel and median cubital vein.

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.)

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.

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.

In almost all situations, the massage therapist needs to retain a strict confidentiality of the client’s information. However, there are certain exceptions, such as when the massage therapist feels in personal danger, when there are suspicions of a client abusing a child and whenever required by law.

During a forced exhalation, the abdominal muscles are engaged to assist the expulsion of air from the lungs.

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

Thyroxine, produced by the thyroid gland, is a hormone that affects nearly every cell in the body by regulating metabolic processes.

There are laws, rules and regulations against developing a sexual relationship with a client. If a sexual relationship existed prior to the client/therapist relationship, then continued sexual interaction is allowable. A typically safe amount of time to wait is 6 months after the client/therapist relationship has been dissolved (documented and signed by both parties) before pursuing a romantic interaction. However, the best path to preserving your career and avoiding a possible investigation is to never engage a client or previous client in any relations outside of a therapeutic environment.

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.

The second role, as a professional, is as important as the first role. One can be the greatest massage therapist in the world, but if the massage therapist does not abide by the guidelines, ethics and laws set forth for the profession, then the therapist can do more harm than good to those who seek their help.

The outside layer of the myelin sheath is called the neurilemma.

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.

The telencephalon is also known as the cerebrum. Telencephalon refers to the embryonic structure from which the mature cerebrum develops.

Tantra is a Sanskrit word meaning expanding liberation and has a place amongst certain spiritual practices. However, tantric massage is often associated with massage that focuses on various levels of “sexual healing“ and, therefore, an establishment seeking a tantric massage practitioner is outside the code of ethics of the massage profession.

The concern with fraternizing with clients outside of the therapeutic environment is to avoid the possibility of creating a dual relationship.

Licensure is handled by state massage boards that determine the minimum educational requirements and certifications needed for qualification. A massage therapist who is interested in licensure in a state that regulates massage should first contact the state massage board for regulation requirements.

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 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.

The passive range of motion test assesses the antagonist muscles of the body. We are looking for the muscle that would inhibit rotation to the right. In this case, the left levator scapularis is the shortened muscle.

A massage practitioner should never work outside of his or her scope of practice. There are many therapists with varying degrees of training and expertise. The best option is to refer the client to another therapist or medical practitioner with the proper training to better assist the client’s needs.

Discussing the issue with a peer is the best step towards gaining an unbiased view of the situation. The other choices signal that the therapist has made an assumption about the dynamics surrounding the client’s behavior.

All the muscles listed in the question are examples of postural muscles. Postural muscles are slow twitch and highly susceptible to hypertonicity in over-use and under-use scenarios.

The “molecular unit of currency” is often used to describe the importance of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) to cellular functions within the body.

When a client asks about the private matters of a common client/friend, they are trying to fill a gap that a massage therapist, as a professional, should not fill. The massage therapist may think the client making the request for information will respect the therapist for divulging privileged information but they will ultimately grow to distrust the therapist’s adherence to client confidentiality. The best answer is one that puts the focus back on them.

The tonsils are masses of lymphatic tissue located just behind the tongue at the back of the throat. Tonsils are the first line of defense against inhaled or ingested pathogens and are part of the immune system.

The shoulder joint is comprised of the glenoid fossa of the scapula and the head of the humerus. This juncture is called the glenohumeral joint.

The obturator foramen is the gap created by the ischium and pubis bones of the pelvis which allows passage for the nerves and blood vessels that supply the leg. The shape of the obturator foramen differ between the sexes with the gap in men being round and in women being oval.

The bluish tint in a client’s skin is an indication of a cardiovascular issue and is due to a lack of oxygen within the blood also known as hypoxia.

Disclosing all of the details about a treatment to a client gives them the opportunity to decide how to proceed and is part of the process to obtain informed consent.

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.

A salt glow is a treatment in which the practitioner applies sea salts to the body in a rubbing fashion to exfoliate the skin.

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.

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

The term celiac describes the location of the abdomen and is used to describe the location of nerves as in the celiac plexus or the location of cardiovascular tissue as in the celiac artery. Celiac disease denotes the location of the disease located in the abdominal region.

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.

Whole hand nerve sensations with arm discoloration indicate compression at the thoracic outlet.

Systole and diastole refer to the contraction (systole) and relaxation (diastole) phase of a heart beat.

Lactic acid buildup occurs when the demand for energy exceeds the tissues ability to process the metabolic waste. Sprinting is the only activity mentioned that can create this scenario.

One of the few times a massage therapist is allowed to break confidentiality is when he or she suspects a client to be in personal danger or harm. In this case, the massage therapist has a professional obligation to ensure the safety of the client.

It is important to know what the names of muscles refer to when remembering their locations. In this case, deltoid means triangular and, thus, the deltoid muscle is a triangular muscle.

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.

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.

Having clear boundaries will assist the massage therapist in knowing when a personal limit has been reached and what can be expected from the therapist and the client within a professional relationship.

A postural assessment can be performed while the client is standing to observe how they hold themselves upright in relation to gravitational forces or while laying down in a supine/prone position to determine any asymmetries.

Inert tissues are those that are not contractile such as bone, bursa, blood vessels, cartilage, fat, ligaments, nerves and nerve coverings.

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.

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

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.

Lordosis is a condition of the lumbar spine which causes and anteriorly rotated pelvis. The anterior rotation causes the hip flexors to tighten which includes a shortening of the psoas muscle.

Using your hands to assess the condition of a client is a palpation assessment.

The valve between the stomach and the small intestine is the pyloric valve also known as the pylorus or pyloric sphincter.

Malpractice insurance is not required by Federal law. Regulations on massage vary from state to state. However, to adhere to sound business practices and for the protection of yourself and your clients, malpractice insurance is considered a necessity within the massage community.

A latent trigger point only produces pain during palpation.

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).

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

Auscultation is the Latin term for listening. Many health professionals use a stethoscope to apply the highly developed skill of auscultation to assess the heart, lungs and digestive system of their patients.