Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination MBLEx Test Ethics, Boundaries, and Laws Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A massage therapist discovers that a long-time client is also a close friend's spouse. What is the most ethical course of action?
- Continue treatment without acknowledging the relationship
- Discuss the dual relationship with the client and consider a referral (Correct answer)
- Immediately terminate the therapeutic relationship
- Inform the friend about the client's treatments
Correct answer: Discuss the dual relationship with the client and consider a referral
Dual relationships should be openly addressed, and a referral may be appropriate to maintain professional boundaries.
Question 2: Which federal law requires massage therapists to maintain client health information confidentiality?
- OSHA
- HIPAA (Correct answer)
- ADA
- FERPA
Correct answer: HIPAA
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) establishes national standards for protecting patient health information.
Question 3: A client requests that the massage therapist perform a technique outside their scope of practice. What should the therapist do?
- Attempt the technique to satisfy the client
- Decline and refer the client to an appropriate practitioner (Correct answer)
- Perform a modified version of the technique
- Agree but charge extra for the specialized service
Correct answer: Decline and refer the client to an appropriate practitioner
Practicing outside one's scope of practice is both unethical and illegal, so a referral to a qualified practitioner is appropriate.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a code of ethics in massage therapy?
- To increase revenue for practitioners
- To establish standards of professional conduct and protect the public (Correct answer)
- To limit the number of practicing therapists
- To create legal liability for practitioners
Correct answer: To establish standards of professional conduct and protect the public
Codes of ethics establish behavioral standards that protect both clients and the integrity of the profession.
Question 5: In which situation would a massage therapist be legally required to break client confidentiality?
- When a client discloses marital problems
- When a client reports suspected child abuse to the therapist (Correct answer)
- When another therapist asks about the client's condition
- When the client's employer requests health information
Correct answer: When a client reports suspected child abuse to the therapist
Massage therapists are mandated reporters and must report suspected child abuse to the appropriate authorities.
Question 6: A massage therapist accepts expensive gifts from a client on multiple occasions. This practice is problematic because it:
- Violates tax reporting requirements
- Creates a power imbalance and blurs professional boundaries (Correct answer)
- Is only inappropriate if the gifts exceed $100
- Is acceptable as long as both parties consent
Correct answer: Creates a power imbalance and blurs professional boundaries
Accepting repeated expensive gifts can create obligation, blur boundaries, and compromise the therapeutic relationship.
