2024 Edition

NCETM and NCETMB Certification Test

This Free NCETM and NCETMB Certification Practice Test will give you an idea of the types of questions and sections on your actual massage therapist exam.

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General Knowledge and Body Systems

1.	Peristalsis occurs the most in which of the following body systems?
		a. Reproduction
		b. Digestion
		c. Endocrine
		d. Nervous
Peristalsis is the symmetrical contraction and relaxation of the smooth muscles that moves contents such as food through the digestive system. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

2.	The lymphatic system is a part of which greater body system?
		a. Reproduction
		b. Digestive
		c. Nervous
		d. Immune
The lymphatic system plays a substantial role in a healthy functioning immune system. Lymphoid tissues are found throughout the body and help the body defend against disease, infections or the spread of tumors. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

3.	Which part of the lymphatic system is responsible for filtering the lymph?
		a. Ducts
		b. Vessels
		c. Nodes
		d. Capillaries
Lymph nodes are a small ball or oval shaped organ of the immune system that contains lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, which is responsible for transferring pathogens and waste into the lymph nodes for filtering. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Anatomy, Physiology and Kinesiology

4.	What type of joint is the first carpometacarpal joint?
		a. Hinge
		b. Saddle
		c. Gliding
		d. Pivot
The first carpometacarpal joint is located in the thumb. The dynamic movements of the thumb is due to the saddle joint which allows for an up and down as well as back and forth motions. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

5.	What class of tissue is fascia?
		a. Epithelial
		b. Connective
		c. Nervous
		d. Muscular
Fascia is the connective tissue that extends from head to toe, surrounding all our muscles, nerves and blood vessels and binds all of our tissues together. There are several layers of fascia including, superficial fascia, deep fascia and subserous or visceral fascia which covers and connects our organs. Fascia contains closely packed bundles of collagen fibers nestled in a wavy pattern parallel to the direction of force. Connective tissue types include tendons, bones, adipose tissue, blood, etc. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

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6.	Where would you find a sarcomere in the human body?
		a. Brain
		b. Liver
		c. Muscle
		d. Bone
Sarcomeres are the basic unit structures of a muscle. A sarcomere is composed of lengthy fibrous proteins called myosin (thick) and actin (thin) that slide past each other during muscle contraction and relaxation. When sarcomeres are grouped they become myofibrils and, in this form, they become either light or dark bands depending on their myoglobin (iron and oxygen binding protein) content. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Pathology

7.	Dermatitis is an inflammation of the _______________.
		a. intestines
		b. brain
		c. skin
		d. liver
Derma relates to skin and the suffix "itis" relates to inflammation. There are several types of dermatitis with a wide range of causes. Contact dermatitis is the most prevalent and is distinguished by a localized rash, blisters or irritation of skin which is caused by a contact with a foreign substance. Dermatitis can also be caused by diseases, chronic dry skin and neurological dysfunctions. Some dermatitis can be contagious and would be contraindicated for massage. Others like eczema is not contagious. Avoid any areas that look inflamed to be safe. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

8.	Which of the following is a parasitic skin infection?
		a. Carcinoma
		b. Tinea corporis
		c. Scabies
		d. Candidiasis
Scabies is a contagious skin infection caused by a microscopic species of mite. Symptoms are skin rashes, blisters, itchy skin and sores from excessive itching. Scabies burrow into the skin to deposit eggs which mature in roughly 21 days. Scabies spread mostly through direct skin on skin contact and is a contraindication for massage. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

9.	Which of the following conditions is an autoimmune disease that is typically hereditary and not contagious?
		a. Psoriasis
		b. Melanoma
		c. Shingles
		d. Herpes
Psoriasis is a non-contagious autoimmune disease where the body mistakes the skin as a pathogen and sends faulty messages to speed up the growth of skin cells. There are five types but the most common is plaque psoriasis which exhibits scaly, red and white patches of skin. Massage is contraindicated directly over the affected area but indicated over unaffected skin. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Massage Assessment

10.	Massage is contraindicated for people with HIV.
		True
		False
Massage can be very beneficial for people with HIV. However, care must be taken not to work over any open sores. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

11.	Which test would you use to assess a nerve compression between the clavicle and first rib?
		a. Adson's test
		b. Costoclavicular test
		c. Phalen's test
		d. Tinel's sign
Costoclavicular test is often used to determine a brachial plexus compression syndrome. The costoclavicular test is also known as the military position test since the client rotates shoulders back and thrusts chest forward much like standing at attention. The practitioner feels for changes in the radial pulse to indicate a compression syndrome. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

12.	A knock kneed client is known to have a valgus deformity.
		True
		False
A valgum deformity is an outward angulation of the distal segment of a joint or bone. In other words, the knees will be angled medially and the feet will be angled laterally. Reverse this scenario to laterally angled knees and medially angled feet and you will see a varum deformity also known as bow legged. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Massage Application

13.	Which massage technique is best to work on keloids?
		a. Light effleurage
		b. Trigger point
		c. Cross fiber friction
		d. None/contraindicated
Keloids are a type of scar tissue with an overgrowth of type 3 collagen fibers, creating firm, often shiny fibrous nodules. Cross fiber friction is best suited to break up and smooth over keloid tissue. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

14.	How much time is generally needed of sustained touch to engage the parasympathetic nervous system?
		a. 2 minutes
		b. 8-10 minutes
		c. 15 minutes
		d. 30 minutes
Touch can initially trigger the sympathetic nervous system. However, after a sustained period of 15 minutes, the parasympathetic nervous system engages. Once this engagement occurs, the release of dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, endorphins and a decrease in cortisol will aid and assist in the healing process of massage. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

15.	Which of the following techniques is characterized as kneading?
		a. Effleurage
		b. Petrissage
		c. Tapotement
		d. Friction
Petrissage, a component of Swedish massage, is an alternating press and release technique similar to kneading bread. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Ethics, Business and Legal

16.	The dynamics between a client and a massage professional are complex, which creates an immediate _______________.
		a. friendship
		b. relationship
		c. power imbalance
		d. power equality
Power imbalances occur naturally when one person is perceived as being an authority over another in a certain situation. This is why the dynamics between a client and a professional, of all backgrounds, has the potential of becoming emotionally unbalanced if left unchecked. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

17.	It is important to NOT refer clients to other massage therapists to avoid being seen as incompetent.
		True
		False
There are many therapists with varying degrees of training and expertise. When a client's condition exceeds the scope of practice of a therapist, it should be considered mandatory to refer the client to another therapist or medical practitioner with the proper training to better assist the client's recovery. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

18.	When are massage therapists allowed to disclose confidential information about the client to third parties without the client's consent?
		a. When the massage therapist is placed in danger
		b. When required by law or court order
		c. When the massage therapist has suspicion of child abuse
		d. All of the above
In almost all situations, the massage therapist needs to retain a strict confidentiality of the client's information. However, there are certain exceptions, such as when the massage therapist feels in personal danger, when there are suspicions of a client abusing a child and whenever required by law. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

CAM and TCM Theory

19.	Polarity therapy is associated with which of the following categories?
		a. Medical massage
		b. General relaxation massage
		c. Sports massage
		d. Energy massage
The basic theory of polarity therapy is based upon the foundation that good health begins with balancing the three human energy fields. The fields are long line currents, transverse currents and spiral currents. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

20.	What part of the body does an Ashiatsu practitioner utilize most during treatment?
		a. Hands
		b. Elbows
		c. Knees
		d. Feet
Ashiatsu literally means foot pressure in Japanese. Practitioners use bars located above the treatment table to stabilize themselves as they carefully apply foot pressure to sooth and unwind tension and strain. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

21.	The heart, liver and spleen are yang organs.
		True
		False
There is a system of bodily functions in TCM theory called the Zang-Fu. The zang refers to the 5 yin organs: heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney. The fu refers to the six yang organs: small intestine, large intestine, gallbladder, urinary bladder, stomach and sanjiao (or triple burner). Remember that yin organs process blood while yang organs can hold contents. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

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