MBLEx Practice Exam

This 24 question massage practice exam for the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) was created by Donovan Monroe, LMT. For comprehensive practice, we suggest you check out the 375 question full-length practice exam for the MBLEx.

The actual MBLEx is a standardized certification exam produced by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.

The massage exam sections below are based on actual exam sections. Highlights: Anatomy & Physiology exam questions, Kinesiology exam questions, Pathology & Contraindications exam questions and exam questions covering: Physiological Effects of Massage, Client Assessment, Massage History & Culture, Ethics, Boundaries, Laws & Regulations and Guidelines for Professional Practice.

Anatomy & Physiology

1.	Endocrine glands secrete _______________ into the blood.
		a. lipids
		b. bile
		c. toxins
		d. hormones

2.	Osteophyte is the technical term for:
		a. bone spur
		b. tooth
		c. bone fracture
		d. bone cancer

3.	Insulin and glucagon are hormones released from which of the following anatomical structures?
		a. pancreas
		b. liver
		c. adrenal gland
		d. thyroid

Kinesiology

4.	Which of the following joints classifications would be described as slightly moveable?
		a. synathrosis
		b. diarthrosis
		c. amphiarthrosis
		d. synovial

5.	What type of joint is the first carpometacarpal joint?
		a. hinge
		b. saddle
		c. gliding
		d. pivot

6.	What would you call a sudden and painful involuntary muscle contraction in a client?
		a. convulsion
		b. contracture
		c. spasm
		d. hypotonicity

Pathology & Contraindications

7.	Tinea relates to which type of skin infection?
		a. parasitic
		b. bacterial
		c. viral
		d. fungal

8.	What is the condition when a person experiences sensations that they are moving while being still?
		a. vertigo
		b. dystonia
		c. peripheral neuropathy
		d. dementia

9.	When a client's skin is discolored with a bluish tint, this would be an indication of which body system dysfunction?
		a. skin
		b. nervous
		c. muscular
		d. cardiovascular

Physiological Effects of Massage

10.	Massage creates the pleasure and feel good response by stimulating the releases of which neuroendocrine chemical?
		a. serotonin
		b. dopamine
		c. epinephrine
		d. cortisol

11.	Massage typically raises cortisol in a client.
		true
		false

12.	What is a scientific benefit of aromatherapy in relation to allopathic medicine?
		a. relaxation
		b. energizing
		c. antimicrobial
		d. pain relief

Client Assessment

13.	A 56 year old client enters the office for their appointment and complains of deep pain in their thigh. They state the pain feels like it is on the bone. The client also states they have a mild fever and feel nauseous. The client is a diabetic. A closer inspection of the affected leg shows signs of redness and swelling. Which of the following conditions is most likely present?
		a. bursitis
		b. myositis
		c. osteomyelitis
		d. fibromyalgia

14.	A 56 year old client enters the office for their appointment and complains of deep pain in their thigh. They state the pain feels like it is on the bone. The client also states they have a mild fever and feel nauseous. The client is a diabetic. A closer inspection of the affected leg shows signs of redness and swelling. Which of the following actions should you take as the practitioner?
		a. massage client and suggest an NSAID
		b. massage client and instruct to seek medical attention soon
		c. cancel appointment and send them home
		d. cancel appointment and instruct to seek medical attention immediately

15.	A regular client has recently complained of pain in the arches of their feet, which of the following healthcare providers should you refer your client to?
		a. Physical Therapist
		b. Chiropractor
		c. Orthopedist
		d. Podiatrist

Massage History & Culture

16.	Rolfing was first named _________________.
		a. neuromuscular therapy
		b. polarity therapy
		c. zero balancing
		d. structural integration

17.	Who is credited for developing and teaching Swedish Massage?
		a. Hippocrates
		b. Bonnie Pruden
		c. Per Henrik Ling
		d. Ruth Rice

18.	Tuina was originally created for which form of massage?
		a. pediatric
		b. geriatric
		c. lymphatic
		d. oncology

Ethics, Boundaries, Laws & Regulations

19.	Malpractice insurance is a requirement by Federal law.
		true
		false

20.	What do boundaries clarify?
		a. our needs and desires
		b. our need to protect ourselves
		c. our need to protect our clients
		d. our personal limits and expectations

21.	When are we allowed an ethical breach of confidentiality with our clients information?
		a. when we are placed in danger
		b. when required by law or court order
		c. suspicion of child abuse
		d. all of the above

Guidelines for Professional Practice

22.	A potential client calls to make an appointment for a massage. They claim they were in an auto accident yesterday and have not seen a doctor yet. What is the best procedure?
		a. book the appointment immediately
		b. book them within next week
		c. refer to another therapist
		d. refer to a doctor

23.	Maintaining our therapeutic relationship with our clients is very important, which of the following guidelines should we not rely upon?
		a. intuition
		b. framework
		c. boundaries
		d. ethics

24.	A client states that you remind them of their mother/father. This is a sign of _______________.
		a. countertransference
		b. projection
		c. transference
		d. instability