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A Massage Therapist’s Guide to Pathology, 5e
Review Questions
Chapter 1: Fundamental Concepts in Pathology
1. Define the following terms: sign, symptom, syndrome
Sign: an objectively observable indication of a disease disorder
Symptom: a subjective experience relating to a disease or disorder
Syndrome: a collection of signs and symptoms associated with a disease process
2. What is an epidemic?
An epidemic is a widespread outbreak of a contagious disease
3. Name five classes of infectious agents
The many thousands of pathogens that can threaten human health have been
categorized into five basic types: prions, viruses, bacteria, fungi, and animal parasites
4. What is the purpose of universal or standard precautions?
The purpose of universal or standard precautions is to avoid all potentially harmful body
fluids. Sweat and tears are not described as infectious fluids.
5. What are the risks of repeated hand washing with hot water and harsh soap?
Hot water and harsh soap can interfere with the essential fatty acids that help to
preserve the impermeability of the skin, making it more vulnerable to infection by
compromising the shield.
6. What is the recommended handwashing protocol if warm running water and soap are
not available?
Using an alcohol-based gel or foam according to manufacturers’ directions (which
means using the amount prescribed and rubbing until the skin is dry) is an effective
antibacterial and antiviral mechanism. However, it is not effective against sporeforming bacteria and does not remove dirt.
7. What is the purpose of inflammation?
Werner, A Massage Therapist’s Guide to Pathology, 5e: Answers to Chapter Review Questions, Ch. 1
Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
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The purpose of inflammation is to protect the body from pathogenic invasion, to limit
the range of contamination, and to prepare damaged tissue for healing.
8. What are three possible outcomes for the inflammatory process?
Three possible outcomes for the inflammatory process are complete resolutionwith no
significant tissue changes, accumulation of scar tissue, or chronic inflammation, possibly
with the formation of cysts and abscesses.
9. Describe what happens during the postacute, or maturation, phase of inflammation.
This is when new collagen undergoes changes: it is remodeled and reshaped, and it
becomes denser and aligns according to force.
10. What adjustments must be made if a client takes anti-inflammatory medication shortly
before a massage session?
If a client takes anti-inflammatory medication shortly before a massage session, the
medication may hide the results of overtreatment, raising the risk that massage can
cause injury. It is recommended that the session be scheduled for when the drug is at
its lowest activity to ensure the most accurate feedback from the client’s tissues about
the effects of the massage.
Werner, A Massage Therapist’s Guide to Pathology, 5e: Answers to Chapter Review Questions, Ch. 1
Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Page 2