MBLEx Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination — Practice
Pathology, Contraindications, Areas of Caution, Special Populations: practice questions
Our MBLEx bank has 46 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.
Question 1
A client with diabetes who uses insulin should be asked about what before the session?
- Their favorite massage oil scent
- Their last dental visit
- Their shoe size
- Recent injection sites and meals
Show the answer
D. Recent injection sites and meals — Avoid recent injection sites (massage may speed absorption) and watch for low blood sugar; sensation may be reduced.
Question 2
A client takes warfarin, an anticoagulant. How should the therapist adjust?
- Use cold only and never apply heat
- Use lighter pressure; bruising is likely
- Use deeper pressure to improve circulation
- No change is needed for anticoagulants
Show the answer
B. Use lighter pressure; bruising is likely — Anticoagulants increase bruising and bleeding risk.
Question 3
Which condition is an inflammation of a tendon?
- Myositis ossificans
- Neuritis
- Tendinitis
- Osteomyelitis
Show the answer
C. Tendinitis — -itis means inflammation; tendinitis is inflamed tendon.
Question 4
Which class of medicine relaxes skeletal muscle and may change how a client responds to pressure?
- Antihistamines for allergies
- Vitamin supplements
- Muscle relaxants
- Antacids
Show the answer
C. Muscle relaxants — Muscle relaxants reduce muscle tone and feedback, so pressure and stretching are moderated.
Question 5
Which condition is a lateral (side-to-side) curvature of the spine?
- Lordosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Scoliosis
- Kyphosis
Show the answer
C. Scoliosis — Scoliosis is lateral curvature; kyphosis is an exaggerated thoracic curve; lordosis an exaggerated lumbar curve.