MBLEx Pathology & Contraindications Practice Questions
Content area 3 of the MBLEx · about 14 of the 100 questions (14%)
100 questions across all seven content areas in 110 minutes, with a score for pathology & contraindications so you know where you stand.
Free pathology & contraindications drillA client who had chickenpox as a child now has a painful band of blisters on one side of her trunk. Which condition is this?
Pathology, Contraindications, Areas of Caution, Special Populations on the MBLEx
Pathology, Contraindications, Areas of Caution and Special Populations is about 14 of the 100 questions. It tests whether you can keep a client safe: recognize common conditions, decide whether massage is contraindicated for the whole body, for one site or not at all, protect endangerment sites, adapt for special populations and understand what a client’s medications mean for the session.
- Share of the exam
- 14% of the content outline, about 14 of the 100 questions
- Outline subtopics
- 5 (parts A, B, C, D, E)
- Our drill
- 10 questions from 80 pathology & contraindications questions, untimed, an explanation after every answer; one free attempt, unlimited with a pass
What pathology & contraindications questions test
- Overview of pathologies across the body systems: what each common condition is and the signs that matter for massage (3A)
- Contraindications: site specific, pathology related, special populations, tools and special applications such as hot stones and cupping (3B)
- Areas of caution: endangerment sites such as the anterior neck, axilla, cubital fossa, femoral triangle and popliteal fossa (3C)
- Special populations: pregnancy, older adults, infants and children, athletes, clients with disabilities and clients in cancer treatment (3D)
- Classes of medications and what they change for massage: anticoagulants, pain relievers and anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, corticosteroids and more (3E)
Sit the full exam under the real clock
100 questions across all seven content areas in 110 minutes, with a score for pathology & contraindications so you know where you stand.
Free pathology & contraindications drillHow to study it
- For every condition, learn one decision: massage everywhere, avoid one area, modify, or do not massage and refer.
- Know the conditions where massage can do real harm, such as a suspected deep vein thrombosis, fever or an acute infection, and the signs that point to them.
- Learn medications by class and their massage effect (a client on a blood thinner bruises easily; a client on pain medication gives less accurate pressure feedback), not by brand name.
- When a question asks what the therapist should do, the safest answer within scope (modify, ask, refer) is usually right.
Common questions
Does the MBLEx ask about medications?
Yes. Classes of medications is part E of this area. Questions cover what a class of drug does and how it changes the session, such as easy bruising with anticoagulants or dulled pain feedback with analgesics. You do not need doses or brand names.
What is the difference between a contraindication and an area of caution?
A contraindication is a condition that makes massage, or one technique or site, unsafe; it can be systemic (no massage) or local (avoid one area). An area of caution, or endangerment site, is a place where nerves, blood vessels or organs lie close to the surface and need lighter, careful work.
100 questions across all seven content areas in 110 minutes, with a score for pathology & contraindications so you know where you stand.
Free pathology & contraindications drillThe other MBLEx content areas
Sources
Original practice questions for exam preparation, written to the FSMTB MBLEx content outline. Independent practice, not affiliated with or endorsed by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB). MBLEx is a registered trademark of FSMTB.