ABMP Practice Exam 1 Review: Complete
Question Set with Answers 2026
1. A lifelong disability caused by mental or physical impairments that
manifested before the age of 18 is called: - ANSWER Developmental
disability
2. What do you call the amount of force and intensity with which a practitioner
applies a technique? - ANSWER Depth
3. A massage practitioner working on a cruise ship will need: - ANSWER
Strong relaxation massage skills and solid body mechanics
4. Lying face up on a massage table is: - ANSWER Supine
5. What type of draping technique would be required if a client reports having
piriformis syndrome? - ANSWER Gluteal drape
6. A stroke used to apply lubricant is: - ANSWER Effleurage
7. An example of an anatomical tool is: - ANSWER The elbow
8. A primary use of shaking vibration is to: - ANSWER Stimulate the nervous
system
9. In Swedish massage, this type of technique was originally referred to as
"gymnastics:" - ANSWER Joint movement
10.A treatment where sheets are soaked in dissolved substances like herbs at
specific temperatures and then applied to the body are called: - ANSWER
Body wraps
11.Extreme forms of labeling include - ANSWER Stereotyping, bigotry, and
sexism
12.An individual's innate eagerness to act or work is defined as: - ANSWER
Motivation
1
,13.Working with athletes, geriatric clients, or pregnant women are all examples
of: - ANSWER Working with athletes, geriatric clients, or pregnant women
are all examples of:
14.What is the letter of introduction accompanying a resume? - ANSWER
Cover letter
15.Selling products to consumers is called: - ANSWER Retail sales
16.This business tool lists business contact information and is given to potential
clients: - ANSWER Business card
17.A legal document that allows a person to run a business out of their home is
known as a: - ANSWER Home operating permit
18.Stress - ANSWER The increase in serotonin production stimulated by
massage is linked to a DECREASE in symptoms of depression and:
19.Depression - ANSWER A common psychological side effect of chronic pain
conditions such as fibromyalgia or myofascial pain syndrome is some level
of:
20.Secondary effects of massage are: - ANSWER Effects that occur as a result
of primary effects
21.Systemic effects of massage are: - ANSWER Effects that cause changes to
the body's chemistry, circulation, metabolism, and nervous system
22.The neck can be divided into four triangular endangerment areas. These
areas are: - ANSWER Two anterior triangles and two posterior triangles
23.A client with chicken pox is: - ANSWER Contraindicated for massage
24.Endangerment areas are: - ANSWER Regions of the body where delicate
structures are superficial and may be damaged by techniques applied too
forcefully
25.A client with impetigo: - ANSWER Is contraindicated for massage
2
,26.These veins are common sites of varicosities and require caution when
working in the lower extremities: - ANSWER Great and small saphenous
veins
27.These vegetable oils are not commonly used in massage because they may
cause reactions: - ANSWER Grape-seed, corn, soybean, and peanut
28.Tinea corporis, tinea capitis, and tinea pedis are forms of: - ANSWER
Ringworm
29.Staphylococcus aureus is a species of bacteria that causes "staph" infections
and: - ANSWER Commonly lives harmlessly on the skin and hair, and
around the nose
30.Practitioners adopt standard sanitation procedures to prevent: - ANSWER
The spread of infectious diseases
31.The proper sanitation of linens and equipment in a massage environment is
important because: - ANSWER Some viruses, like the herpes simplex virus,
can linger on surfaces and infect a person via indirect contact
32.In the S section of a SOAP form, "intensity" means: - ANSWER The degree
to which the client experiences the symptom
33.One important purpose of documentation is: - ANSWER To ensure the
client's safety
34.Information you gather through observation of the client and palpation of the
client's tissue is called: - ANSWER Objective data
35.Medial epicondylitis occurs when practitioners: - ANSWER Regularly use
strokes that cause repeated pronation of the forearm and wrist flexion
36.One indication of unethical, unprofessional touch is: - ANSWER When the
practitioner is angry or frustrated with the client and can't drop it before
providing massage
37.In a client-centered session: - ANSWER Massage is provided with the
client's wants and needs at the forefront
3
, 38.Sloppy draping, inattention to a client's comfort level, and the inability to
meet a client's appropriate wants and needs are indicators of: - ANSWER
Unethical, unprofessional touch
39.A written set of professional guidelines based on ethical principles and
describing ethical behaviors is known as: - ANSWER Standards of practice
40.In which instance is it acceptable for a practitioner to break confidentiality? -
ANSWER If there is clear and imminent danger to someone's life
41.To practice the highest ethics, massage practitioners should only sell retail
products: - ANSWER That are a natural extension of a massage business,
such as hot and cold packs
42.For each ethic's principle, there is a corresponding: - ANSWER Standard of
practice
43.Regardless of the behavior of the client, it is always the practitioner's
responsibility to: - ANSWER Refrain from sexual behavior
44.If a client seeks neuromuscular therapy and the practitioner has not been
trained in neuromuscular therapy, the practitioner should: - ANSWER Refer
the client to someone who holds appropriate credentials in neuromuscular
therapy
45.Expressing political views during a session is an example of crossing this
type of client boundary: - ANSWER Mental
46.What is one practitioner behavior that can confuse the client's sense of
secure boundaries? - ANSWER Extending sessions by 15 minutes without
discussing this with the client
47.What is the best way to maintain professionalism around the issue of dating
clients? - ANSWER Avoid dating clients in all circumstances
48.In order to avoid creating a dual relationship, a practitioner should not
provide massage to: - ANSWER A love interest
49.Diagnosing a medical condition is considered: - ANSWER Outside the
scope of practice for any massage practitioner
4
Question Set with Answers 2026
1. A lifelong disability caused by mental or physical impairments that
manifested before the age of 18 is called: - ANSWER Developmental
disability
2. What do you call the amount of force and intensity with which a practitioner
applies a technique? - ANSWER Depth
3. A massage practitioner working on a cruise ship will need: - ANSWER
Strong relaxation massage skills and solid body mechanics
4. Lying face up on a massage table is: - ANSWER Supine
5. What type of draping technique would be required if a client reports having
piriformis syndrome? - ANSWER Gluteal drape
6. A stroke used to apply lubricant is: - ANSWER Effleurage
7. An example of an anatomical tool is: - ANSWER The elbow
8. A primary use of shaking vibration is to: - ANSWER Stimulate the nervous
system
9. In Swedish massage, this type of technique was originally referred to as
"gymnastics:" - ANSWER Joint movement
10.A treatment where sheets are soaked in dissolved substances like herbs at
specific temperatures and then applied to the body are called: - ANSWER
Body wraps
11.Extreme forms of labeling include - ANSWER Stereotyping, bigotry, and
sexism
12.An individual's innate eagerness to act or work is defined as: - ANSWER
Motivation
1
,13.Working with athletes, geriatric clients, or pregnant women are all examples
of: - ANSWER Working with athletes, geriatric clients, or pregnant women
are all examples of:
14.What is the letter of introduction accompanying a resume? - ANSWER
Cover letter
15.Selling products to consumers is called: - ANSWER Retail sales
16.This business tool lists business contact information and is given to potential
clients: - ANSWER Business card
17.A legal document that allows a person to run a business out of their home is
known as a: - ANSWER Home operating permit
18.Stress - ANSWER The increase in serotonin production stimulated by
massage is linked to a DECREASE in symptoms of depression and:
19.Depression - ANSWER A common psychological side effect of chronic pain
conditions such as fibromyalgia or myofascial pain syndrome is some level
of:
20.Secondary effects of massage are: - ANSWER Effects that occur as a result
of primary effects
21.Systemic effects of massage are: - ANSWER Effects that cause changes to
the body's chemistry, circulation, metabolism, and nervous system
22.The neck can be divided into four triangular endangerment areas. These
areas are: - ANSWER Two anterior triangles and two posterior triangles
23.A client with chicken pox is: - ANSWER Contraindicated for massage
24.Endangerment areas are: - ANSWER Regions of the body where delicate
structures are superficial and may be damaged by techniques applied too
forcefully
25.A client with impetigo: - ANSWER Is contraindicated for massage
2
,26.These veins are common sites of varicosities and require caution when
working in the lower extremities: - ANSWER Great and small saphenous
veins
27.These vegetable oils are not commonly used in massage because they may
cause reactions: - ANSWER Grape-seed, corn, soybean, and peanut
28.Tinea corporis, tinea capitis, and tinea pedis are forms of: - ANSWER
Ringworm
29.Staphylococcus aureus is a species of bacteria that causes "staph" infections
and: - ANSWER Commonly lives harmlessly on the skin and hair, and
around the nose
30.Practitioners adopt standard sanitation procedures to prevent: - ANSWER
The spread of infectious diseases
31.The proper sanitation of linens and equipment in a massage environment is
important because: - ANSWER Some viruses, like the herpes simplex virus,
can linger on surfaces and infect a person via indirect contact
32.In the S section of a SOAP form, "intensity" means: - ANSWER The degree
to which the client experiences the symptom
33.One important purpose of documentation is: - ANSWER To ensure the
client's safety
34.Information you gather through observation of the client and palpation of the
client's tissue is called: - ANSWER Objective data
35.Medial epicondylitis occurs when practitioners: - ANSWER Regularly use
strokes that cause repeated pronation of the forearm and wrist flexion
36.One indication of unethical, unprofessional touch is: - ANSWER When the
practitioner is angry or frustrated with the client and can't drop it before
providing massage
37.In a client-centered session: - ANSWER Massage is provided with the
client's wants and needs at the forefront
3
, 38.Sloppy draping, inattention to a client's comfort level, and the inability to
meet a client's appropriate wants and needs are indicators of: - ANSWER
Unethical, unprofessional touch
39.A written set of professional guidelines based on ethical principles and
describing ethical behaviors is known as: - ANSWER Standards of practice
40.In which instance is it acceptable for a practitioner to break confidentiality? -
ANSWER If there is clear and imminent danger to someone's life
41.To practice the highest ethics, massage practitioners should only sell retail
products: - ANSWER That are a natural extension of a massage business,
such as hot and cold packs
42.For each ethic's principle, there is a corresponding: - ANSWER Standard of
practice
43.Regardless of the behavior of the client, it is always the practitioner's
responsibility to: - ANSWER Refrain from sexual behavior
44.If a client seeks neuromuscular therapy and the practitioner has not been
trained in neuromuscular therapy, the practitioner should: - ANSWER Refer
the client to someone who holds appropriate credentials in neuromuscular
therapy
45.Expressing political views during a session is an example of crossing this
type of client boundary: - ANSWER Mental
46.What is one practitioner behavior that can confuse the client's sense of
secure boundaries? - ANSWER Extending sessions by 15 minutes without
discussing this with the client
47.What is the best way to maintain professionalism around the issue of dating
clients? - ANSWER Avoid dating clients in all circumstances
48.In order to avoid creating a dual relationship, a practitioner should not
provide massage to: - ANSWER A love interest
49.Diagnosing a medical condition is considered: - ANSWER Outside the
scope of practice for any massage practitioner
4
