← MBLEx CoreIntegrated MBLEx Question Bank
Answer before opening the explanation. These questions deliberately mix anatomy, kinesiology, pathology, technique, assessment, ethics and professional practice.
How to reason
First identify the domain. For safety/ethics questions, choose the option that best protects the client, respects scope and consent, and gathers needed information. For anatomy, picture the structure and joint. For technique questions, identify the movement family and variables.
Anatomy & Kinesiology
1. Which muscle is a primary elbow flexor regardless of forearm position?
A. Triceps brachii · B. Brachialis · C. Supinator · D. Anconeus
B. Brachialis. It crosses the anterior elbow and inserts on the ulna, so pronation/supination does not change its mechanical relationship the way it changes biceps leverage.
2. A client actively abducts the shoulder. Which muscle is strongly associated with initiating/assisting this action and stabilizing the humeral head?
A. Supraspinatus · B. Teres major · C. Latissimus dorsi · D. Pectoralis major
A. Supraspinatus. Teres major, latissimus and pectoralis major are associated more strongly with adduction/internal rotation patterns.
3. Which muscle action pair best matches tibialis anterior?
A. Plantarflexion/eversion · B. Dorsiflexion/inversion · C. Knee flexion/plantarflexion · D. Dorsiflexion/eversion
B. Tibialis anterior dorsiflexes and inverts the foot.
4. Which synovial joint type best describes the glenohumeral joint?
A. Hinge · B. Pivot · C. Ball-and-socket · D. Saddle
C. Its multiaxial movement is characteristic of a ball-and-socket joint.
5. What contraction occurs when quadriceps control knee flexion while lowering from standing toward a chair?
A. Concentric · B. Eccentric · C. Isometric · D. Passive
B. Eccentric. The quadriceps produce force while lengthening to control the descent.
Pathology & Safety
6. A client arrives with unexplained unilateral calf warmth, swelling and tenderness. Best action?
A. Deep stripping · B. Heat then massage · C. Avoid massage and seek prompt medical evaluation · D. Stretch the calf
C. The presentation can be concerning for DVT. Do not attempt to “move the fluid” or massage it out.
7. A client has stable psoriasis with intact plaques. Which statement is correct?
A. Psoriasis is contagious · B. All massage is absolutely contraindicated · C. Psoriasis is not contagious; modify around irritated/open tissue · D. Deep friction cures plaques
C. Tissue condition and comfort guide local modification. Massage does not cure psoriasis.
8. Why does peripheral neuropathy change pressure/thermal decisions?
A. It always causes clotting · B. Sensory feedback may be impaired · C. It makes skin contagious · D. It always requires deep pressure
B. Reduced sensation can make normal “tell me if this is too hot/deep” feedback unreliable.
Technique & Assessment
9. Kneading and lifting soft tissue belong primarily to which family?
A. Effleurage · B. Petrissage · C. Tapotement · D. Vibration
B. Petrissage.
10. The client moves their own shoulder through available range. This is:
A. PROM · B. AROM · C. Isometric testing · D. Passive stretching
B. AROM. Active ROM is generated by the client.
11. During a neck stretch the client reports new tingling into the hand. Best response?
A. Hold longer · B. Increase pressure · C. Stop/modify and reassess · D. Add ballistic movement
C. Neurological symptoms are not a signal to push farther.
12. Which claim is least defensible?
A. Massage may support relaxation · B. Massage can temporarily affect movement tolerance · C. Massage flushes toxins from the body · D. Comfortable touch can affect pain experience
C. “Flushes toxins” is vague and unsupported. Use specific physiological/clinical language.
Ethics & Professional Practice
13. A client consented to abdominal massage at intake but says no when the therapist reaches that part of the session. What should happen?
A. Continue because written consent controls · B. Skip the abdomen · C. Ask three times · D. Explain they already paid
B. Consent is ongoing and can be withdrawn at any time.
14. A therapist develops romantic feelings for a current client. Which concept is most relevant to the therapist's emotional response?
A. Transference · B. Countertransference · C. Beneficence only · D. Prognosis
B. Countertransference. The therapist must recognize the boundary risk and not act on it within the therapeutic relationship.
15. A client's friend asks whether the client has been receiving massage for migraines. Best response?
A. Confirm only the appointment dates · B. Confirm because migraines are not embarrassing · C. Do not disclose the client relationship/information without authorization · D. Share only verbal information
C. Confidentiality includes protecting the existence/details of the professional relationship.
16. Which SOAP section contains what the client reports?
A. Subjective · B. Objective · C. Assessment · D. Plan
A. Subjective.
17. A massage therapist palpates an unfamiliar lump. Best documentation?
A. Diagnose a tumor · B. Document the objective finding and recommend appropriate evaluation when warranted · C. Ignore it · D. Attempt to break it up
B. Describe rather than diagnose.
18. Cleaning differs from disinfection because cleaning primarily:
A. Sterilizes tissue · B. Removes soil/debris · C. Kills every microorganism · D. Applies only to hands
B. Cleaning physically removes debris/organic material and commonly precedes disinfection.
Routine Integration
19. “Quad Knead” is best classified primarily as which foundational technique family?
A. Petrissage · B. Tapotement · C. Vibration · D. Traction
A. Petrissage. Your routine nickname should still connect to professional technique vocabulary.
20. During posterior leg work, which area should not receive indiscriminate deep pressure because of major neurovascular structures?
A. Mid-hamstring belly · B. Popliteal fossa · C. Broad gastrocnemius belly · D. Plantar surface
B. Popliteal fossa.
21. SCM Cross requires particular caution because the SCM is near which sensitive region?
A. Popliteal fossa · B. Anterior/lateral neck neurovascular structures · C. Cubital tunnel only · D. Plantar fascia
B. Light, precise work and anatomical awareness are essential.
22. A client asks for deeper pressure over a painful varicose vein. Best choice?
A. Follow client preference · B. Direct elbow pressure · C. Avoid direct heavy pressure and modify · D. Tapotement over the vein
C. Client preference does not override tissue/vascular safety.
Score yourself
20–22: strong integrated recall. 16–19: good base, review explanations for misses. 12–15: revisit the linked core lessons before doing another mixed set. Below 12: study by domain first, then return to integrated questions.
This is Set 1. Future sets should add harder application questions, muscle attachments, body systems, medications, special populations and Pennsylvania professional requirements.