Part 2 — Answer key

Compare your answers after you have finished Part 1.

1. Which structure primarily contracts to produce voluntary movement at a joint during massage-related actions?
   Skeletal muscle
2. Effleurage in Swedish massage is typically performed using long, gliding strokes directed toward the client's heart.
   True
3. A client reports pain along the front of the thigh when climbing stairs. Which muscle group is most likely involved?
   Quadriceps
4. For detailed deep-tissue work that requires maximum control and minimal glide, which lubricant is generally the best choice?
   Mineral oil
5. If a client falls asleep and snores loudly during a session, the massage therapist should immediately stop the massage and wake the client.
   False
6. Before a first massage session with a new client, which action is the most appropriate initial step after greeting them?
   Have the client complete a health history and intake form
7. Which effect of relaxation massage is most closely associated with activation of the parasympathetic nervous system?
   Reduced muscle tension
8. A desk-bound office worker reports chronic tightness in the upper back and shoulders and asks for moderate pressure during a first session. There are no red flags in the health history. Which techniques are most appropriate to include early in the treatment? Select all that apply.
   Petrissage of the trapezius and rhomboids; Seated or prone effleurage to warm the upper back tissues
9. A client sprained their left ankle three days ago and presents with visible swelling and mild warmth around the joint. They request massage on the ankle. What is the most appropriate approach?
   Use light effleurage proximal to the ankle to support drainage
10. Documenting each massage session immediately after it ends can help protect the therapist in the event of a legal or ethical complaint.
    True
11. A pregnant client in the second trimester prefers to lie on her side for comfort. Which positioning strategy is MOST appropriate?
    A pillow between the knees and one supporting the abdomen
12. Which of the following muscles are part of the rotator cuff complex of the shoulder? Select all that apply.
    Supraspinatus; Teres minor; Infraspinatus
13. Near the end of a deep-tissue session, a client reports feeling slightly lightheaded when getting up from the table. What is the most likely explanation?
    A drop in blood pressure from transitioning to standing
14. It is acceptable for a massage therapist to diagnose a client with sciatica as long as they clearly explain that they are not a physician.
    False
15. A recreational athlete books a massage 24 hours after an intense leg workout and reports diffuse soreness without sharp pain. The goal is to support recovery without increasing discomfort. Which treatment focus is MOST appropriate?
    Light to moderate effleurage and petrissage within tolerance
16. During a session, a client begins to disclose details of past emotional trauma and asks for advice on how to cope with it. Which responses are professionally appropriate for the massage therapist? Select all that apply.
    Listen actively without probing for more details; Gently redirect the conversation toward session goals when possible; Refer the client to a licensed mental health professional when indicated
17. A massage therapist is transitioning from paper to electronic records and wants to align with privacy best practices. Which choice is MOST appropriate?
    Use a password-protected electronic system with limited staff access
18. Arrange the following steps in the MOST appropriate order for beginning a first-time client session, from initial contact in the treatment room to starting hands-on work.
    Correct order: Invite the client to complete or review the health history form → Review the health history and clarify key points through brief questioning → Explain the proposed session plan and obtain informed consent → Conduct a focused visual and palpation assessment of the relevant areas → Confirm the treatment plan and position the client comfortably on the table
19. A client taking prescribed blood thinners and with well-controlled hypertension comes for a relaxation massage. Which actions are appropriate for the therapist? Select all that apply.
    Use lighter pressure and slower pacing throughout the session; Avoid deep compressions that could easily cause bruising; Take the client's blood pressure at the start of the session if trained and permitted
20. A client with a history of metastatic cancer has written clearance from their oncologist for light massage and reports generalized fatigue and mild joint pain. Which treatment approach is MOST appropriate?
    Vigorous sports massage aimed at dramatically increasing energy levels
21. A client reports numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers that worsens with prolonged typing. Which orthopedic test is MOST appropriate to help screen for carpal tunnel syndrome?
    Phalen's test