NCCAOM Acupuncture Board Sample Test 3

1. Which of the following is a Crossing point for the Large Intestine, Triple Warmer (San Jiao), Gall Bladder, and Small Intestine channels?

  1. St 12 (Quepen)
  2. CV (Ren) 20 (Huagai)
  3. CV (Ren) 12 (Zhongwan)
  4. ST 1 (Chengqi)

2. According to the Five Element theory, the Sedation point (son point) on the Lung channel is:

  1. Lu 1 (Zhongfu)
  2. Lu 5 (Chize)
  3. Lu 7 (Lieque)
  4. Lu 9 (Taiyuan)

3. According to the Extraordinary Channel theory, which of the following points would best treat swelling and pain of the throat with difficulty swallowing?

  1. SI 3 (Houxi) and UB 62 (Shenmai)
  2. Lu 7 (Lieque) and K 6 (Zhaohai)
  3. Sp 4 (Gongsun) and P 6 (Zhaohai)
  4. TW (SJ) 5 (Waiguan) and GB 41 (Zulinqi)

4. Which of the following points is most effective for treating nocturnal emission?

  1. UB 14 (Jueyinshu)
  2. UB 17 (Geshu)
  3. UB 20 (Pishu)
  4. UB 43 (Gaohuangshu)

5. The auricular acupuncture points for the brain are located on which part of the ear?

  1. antitragus
  2. cymba conchae
  3. superior antihelix
  4. cavum conchae

6. Liv 13 (Zhangmen) is best indicated for:

  1. constipation and frontal headache
  2. pain in knee and impotence
  3. asthma, insomnia, and palpitations
  4. pain in the chest and hypochondriac region

7. Which of the eight Extraordinary Channels includes points LI 15 (Jianyu), St 1 (Chengqi),

GB 20 (Fengchi), UB 61 (Pushen), and GB 29 (Femur-Juliao)?

  1. Yang Linking Channel (Yangwei Mai)
  2. Yang Heel Channel (Yangqiao Mai)
  3. Governing Vessel (Du Mai)
  4. Yin Heel Channel (Yinqiao Mai)

8. Which of the following points are used for insufficient lactation due to stagnation of Qi and Blood?

  1. GB 41 (Zulinqi), GB 37 (Guangming), UB 20 (Pishu), and St 17 (Ruzhong)
  2. CV (Ren) 17 (Shanzhong), SI 1 (Shaoze), Liv 14 (Qimen), and Liv 3 (Taichong)
  3. St 36 (Zusanli), P 6 (Neiguan), GB 21 (Jianjing). and St 18 (Rugen)
  4. Sp 6 (Sanyinjiao), CV (Ren) 6 (Qihai), GB 41 (Zulinqi), and GV (Du) 20 (Baihui)

9. What is the Front-Mu point of the Urinary Bladder meridian?

  1. Sp 4 (Gongsun)
  2. CV (Ren) 3 (Zhongji)
  3. UB 28 (Pangguangshu)
  4. K 6 (Zhaohai)

10. What are the mother and child points respectively for the Urinary Bladder channel?

  1. UB 38 (Fuxi) and UB 43 (Gaohuangshu)
  2. UB 43 (Gaohuangshu) and UB 38 (Fuxi)
  3. UB 65 (Shugu) and UB 67 (Zhiyin)
  4. UB 67 (Zhiyin) and UB 65 (Shugu)

11. What is the Yuan-source point of the Heart channel?

  1. H 5 (Tongli)
  2. H 6 (Yinxi)
  3. H 7 (Shenmen)
  4. H 9 (Shaochong)

12. The Luo-connecting point of which channel can be used to regulate and calm the Heart spirit?

  1. Gall Bladder
  2. Large Intestine
  3. Small Intestine
  4. Urinary Bladder

13. What is the Front-Mu point of the Liver meridian?

  1. Liv 14 (Qimen)
  2. St 25 (Tianshu)
  3. GB 25 (Jingmen)
  4. CV (Ren) 17 (Shanzhong)

14. What is the Hui-meeting point of the Blood?

  1. UB 17 (Geshu)
  2. LU 9 (Taiyuan)
  3. GB 34 (Yanglinquan)
  4. Sp 10 (Xuehai)

15. The Jing-well point of which channel can be used to treat pain of the submandibular area, bitter taste in the mouth, and ear ache?

  1. Lung
  2. Urinary Bladder
  3. Triple Warmer (San Jiao)
  4. Large Intestine

16. A patient complains of rapid, coarse breathing and a stifling sensation in the chest. The patient has thick, purulent sputum and a thick, yellowish tongue coating. The pulse is rapid and forceful. Which of following combinations of points is most appropriate for treating this condition?

  1. UB 18 (Ganshu), Lu 1 (Zhongfu), Lu 9 (Taiyuan), and St 36 (Zusanli)
  2. UB 13 (Feishu), Lu 9 (Taiyuan), LI 14 (Hegu), and UB 23 (Shenshu)
  3. P 5 (Jianshi), CV (Ren) 22 (Tiantu), Lu 5 (Chize), and Dingchuan (Extra)
  4. UB 23 (Shenshu), GV (Du) 4 (Mingmen), CV (Ren) 6 (Qihai), and CV (Ren) 17 (Shanzhong)

17. Which of the following is a Xi-Cleft Point?

  1. Lu 6 (Kongzui)
  2. LI 4 (Hegu)
  3. Liv 3 (Taichong)
  4. Sp 4 (Gongsun)

18. Which of the following is a Luo-connecting point?

  1. UB 60 (Kunlun)
  2. K 4 (Dazhong)
  3. Liv 6 (Zhongdu)
  4. GB 39 (Xuanzhong)

19. Which of the following is a Lower He-Sea point?

  1. Liv 7 (Xiguan)
  2. Sp 7 (Lougu)
  3. St 39 (Xianjuxu)
  4. TW (SJ) 5 (Waiguan)

20. Which of the following is a Xi-Cleft point?

  1. GB 41 (Zulinqi)
  2. K 4 (Dazhong)
  3. St 40 (Fenglong)
  4. Sp 8 (Diji)

21. The distance between Sp 12 (Chongmen) and Sp 15 (Daheng) is:

  1. 4 cun
  2. 5 cun
  3. 6 cun
  4. 7 cun

22. Which of the following points is located in the depression at the lateral end of the eyebrow?

  1. GB 1 (Tongziliao)
  2. UB 2 (Zanzhu)
  3. SI 19 (Tinggong)
  4. TW (SJ) 23 (Sizhukong)

23. Which point is located 1/3 of the distance from the anterior hairline to the posterior hairline and 1.5 cun lateral to the midline?

  1. UB 6 (Chengguang)
  2. UB 7 (Tongtian)
  3. GB 16 (Muchuang)
  4. GB 17 (Zhengying)

24. If needled too deeply, which point could puncture the subclavian vessels?

  1. St 9 (Renying)
  2. St 12 (Quepen)
  3. Sp 12 (Chongmen)
  4. Liv 12 (Jimai)

25. Which point is contraindicated for both acupuncture and moxibustion?

  1. GV (Du) 20 (Baihui)
  2. Liv 12 (Jimai)
  3. CV (Ren) 8 (Shenque)
  4. St 17 (Ruzhong)

26. Which of the following describes the correct procedure for cleaning the acupuncture site prior to needle insertion?

  1. vigorous scrub in the area in a back and forth fashion
  2. work in a spiral motion, starting from the site and moving outward
  3. place the alcohol swab over the site for 5 to 10 minutes
  4. pour alcohol over the site

27. What should be done if unintentional bleeding occurs during a cupping session?

  1. continue treating the patient if they are in no pain
  2. discontinue the treatment and never perform cupping on the patient in the future
  3. remove the cups and apply pressure to the bleeding sites
  4. wash the cups with soap and water before the next treatment

28. Which of the following solutions can be used as a sterilant?

  1. Lysol
  2. 70% ethyl alcohol
  3. sodium hypochlorite (bleach) in a 1:100 concentration
  4. over the counter hydrogen peroxide

29. The Jing-well point of the Urinary Bladder channel is located on the:

  1. ankle
  2. great toe
  3. third toe
  4. fifth toe

30. The Shu-stream point of the Heart channel is located on the proximal border of the:

  1. triquetrum bone
  2. lunate bone
  3. scaphoid bone
  4. pisiform bone

31. The Jing-river point of the Pericardium channel is located between the tendons of:

  1. palmaris longus and flexor carpi ulnaris
  2. palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis
  3. flexor pollicis longus and flexor digitorum profundus
  4. flexor pollicis longus and flexor digitorum superficialis

32. The Xi-Cleft point of the Stomach channel is how many cun proximal to the superior border of the patella?

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4

33. What point is located on the lateral side of the tendon of extensor digitorum longus, distal to the junction of the fourth and fifth metatarsals?

  1. Liv 2 (Xingjian)
  2. Liv 3 (Taichong)
  3. GB 41 (Zulingqi)
  4. GB 42 (Diwuhui)

34. What point is located between the medial malleolus and the Achilles tendon, at the level of the prominence of the medial malleolus?

  1. GB 40 (Qiuxu)
  2. Liv 4 (Xhongfeng)
  3. Sp 5 (Shangqiu)
  4. K 3 (Taixi)

35, Which of the following points should be needled carefully to avoid puncturing the carotid artery?

  1. St 9 (Renying)
  2. St 11 (Qishe)
  3. TW (SJ) 17 (Yifeng)
  4. TW (SJ) 16 (Tianyou)

36. Which of the following points is located right below the free end of the eleventh floating rib?

  1. GB 24 (Riyue)
  2. GB 25 (Jingmen)
  3. Liv 13 (Xhangmen)
  4. Liv 14 (Qimen)

37. What is the proper needling technique for Yuyao (Extra)?

  1. transverse insertion medially or laterally to a depth of 0.5 to 1 cun
  2. transverse insertion medially or laterally to a depth of 1 to 1.5 cun
  3. oblique insertion anteriorly to a depth of 0.5 to 1 cun
  4. oblique insertion anteriorly to a depth of 1 to 1.5 cun

38. What is the proper needling technique for UB 20 (Pishu)?

  1. perpendicular insertion towards the spine to a depth of 0.5 to 1 cun
  2. perpendicular insertion to a depth of 1 to 1.5 cun
  3. oblique insertion towards the spine to a depth of 0.5 to 1 cun
  4. oblique insertion to a depth of 1 to 1.5 cun

39. Which describes a proper needling technique for UB 2 (Zanzhu)?

  1. prick to bleed for ear diseases
  2. prick to bleed for heat disorders
  3. perpendicular insertion to a depth of 0.5 to 1 cun for ear diseases
  4. perpendicular insertion to a depth of 1 to 1.5 cun for heat disorders

40. What is the proper needling technique for SI 12 (Bingfeng)?

  1. perpendicular insertion directed proximally to a depth of 0.3 to 0.5 cun
  2. perpendicular insertion directed distally to a depth of 0.5 to 1.5 cun
  3. oblique medial insertion directed towards the spine to a depth of 0.5 to 1 cun
  4. oblique lateral insertion directed towards the shoulder to a depth of 1 to 1.5 cun

41. A patient with rectal hemorrhoids was treated using GV (Du) 20 (Baihui) and K 9 (Zhubin) with little improvement. Which of the following Extra points is most appropriate to add to the next treatment?

  1. Luozhen
  2. Huanzhong
  3. Zhoujian
  4. Erbai

42. A patient lost 20% of her body weight after a series of fasting and now experiences early menstruation. Which of the following points is most appropriate for treatment?

  1. K 7 (Fuliu)
  2. LI 11 (Quchi)
  3. CV (Ren) 6 (Qihai)
  4. H 7 (Shenmen)

43. After three acupuncture treatments for aversion to cold, fever, and clear nasal discharge, the patient now presents with a high fever, cough with yellow phlegm, chest pain, a red tongue with a thick, yellow coating, and a wiry pulse. The most appropriate treatment points are:

  1. LI 11 (Quchi) and Lu 7 (Lieque)
  2. LI 10 and Lu 7 (Lieque)
  3. Sp 6 (Sanyinjiao) and Lu 9 (Taiyuan)
  4. Sp 8 (Diji) and Lu 9 (Taiyuan)

44. After two treatments for abdominal pain, a patient presents for a third session complaining of constipation, dry stools, thirst, dark urine, dry mouth, and foul breath. The patient has a red face, a wiry and rapid pulse, and a red tongue with a yellow coating. What is the most appropriate treatment for this patient?

  1. CV (Ren) 10 (Xiawan), CV (Ren) 12 (Zhongwan), St 21 (Liangmen), St 25 (Tianshu), and Sp 4 (Gongsun)
  2. GB 34 (Yanglingquan), Liv 8 (Ququan), Sp 10 (Xuehai), P 6 (Neiguan), and UB 17 (Geshu)
  3. LI 4 (Hegu), LI 11 (Quchi), Sp 14 (Fuji), TW (SJ) 6 (Zhigou), and St 44 (Neiting)
  4. TW (SJ) 6 (Zhigou), Sp 15 (Daheng), CV (Ren) 4 (Guanyuan), UB 20 (Pishu), and UB 23 (Shenshu)

45. After three treatments for headache, a patient presents for a fourth session complaining of dizziness and a feeling of heaviness in the head. The patient also complains of difficulty concentrating, poor appetite, and an oppressive feeling in the chest. The pulse is slippery and the tongue is swollen with a sticky coat. What is the most appropriate treatment for this patient?

  1. CV (Ren) 12 (Zhongwan), Sp 9 (Yinlingquan), LI 4 (Hegu), St 8 (Touwei), and GV (Du) 20 Baihui)
  2. St 36 (Zusanli), Sp 6 (Sanyinjiao), CV (Ren) 6 (Qihai), UB 15 (Xinshu), and GV (Du) 20 Baihui)
  3. K 3 (Taixi), SI 3 (Houxi), GV (Du) 16 (Fengfu), GV (Du) 17 (Naohu), and GB 39 (Xuanzhong)
  4. Liv 3 (Taichong), GB 20 (Fengchi), TW (SJ) 5 (Waiguan), K 3 (Taixi), and Sp 6 (Sanyinjiao)

46. After two treatments for back pain, a patient presents for a third session complaining of shortness of breath and slight wheezing with a low sound. The patient also complains of abdominal distension, poor appetite, fatigue, and a disinterest in speaking. The pulse is weak and the tongue is pale. What is the most appropriate treatment for this patient?

  1. Sp 3 (Taibai), St 36 (Zusanli), Lu 7 (Lieque), UB 13 (Feishu), and UB 20 (Pishu)
  2. CV (Ren) 17 (Shanzhong), St 40 (Fenglong), P 6 (Neiguan), UB 13 (Feishu), and Lu 6 (Kongzui)
  3. UB 13 (Feishu), Lu 1 (Zhongfu), Lu 5 (Chize), Lu 6 (Kongzui), and Lu 10 (Yuji)
  4. St 40 (Fenglong), Lu 7 (Lieque), Lu 9 (Taiyuan), UB 25 (Dachangshu), and GV (Du) 12 (Shenzhu)

47. After receiving four treatments for fatigue, a patient presents at the fifth visit with little improvement and the additional symptoms of dyspnea on exertion, palpitations, spontaneous sweating, depression, and a pale complexion. What is the most appropriate treatment for this patient?

  1. H 8 (Shaofu), Lu 10 (Yuji), UB 17 (Geshu), and St 40 (Fenglong)
  2. P 6 (Neiguan), H 5 (Tongli), UB 15 (Xinshu), and CV (Ren) 17 (Shanzhong)
  3. SI 19 (Tinggong), CV (Ren) 13 (Shangwan), UB 13 (Feishu), and Lu 9 (Taiyuan)
  4. St 36 (Zusanli), UB 21 (Weishu), CV (Ren) 12 (Zhongwan), and Sp 3 (Taibai)

48. After two treatments for edema, a patient presents for a third session complaining of sudden coughing episodes that are triggered by emotional events. The patient also complains of a dry throat, hypochondrial pain, dark urine, dry stools, and a bitter taste in the mouth. The patient has a wiry and rapid pulse and a red tongue with a dry, yellow coating. What is the most appropriate treatment for this patient?

  1. Lu 9 (Taiyuan), UB 13 (Feishu), UB 43 (Gaohuangshu), CV (Ren) 12 (Zhongwan), and St 36 (Zusanli)
  2. Lu 1 (Zhongfu), Lu 5 (Chize), Lu 6 (Kongzui), GV (Du) 14 (Dazhui), and LI 11 (Quchi)
  3. Lu 7 (Lieque), Lu 9 (Taiyuan), CV (Ren) 12 (Zhongwan), K 6 (Zhaohai), Sp 6 (Sanyinjiao)
  4. Lu 1 (Zhongfu), Lu 5 (Chize), Liv 2 (Xingjian), GB 34 (Yanglingjiao), and CV (Ren) 17 (Shanzhong)

49. After three treatments for tinnitus, a patient presents for a fourth session complaining of fatigue that is worse in the morning, muscle weakness, abdominal discomfort after eating, and loose stools. The patient has a sallow complexion, a pale tongue with teeth marks, and an empty pulse, especially at the right middle position. What is the most appropriate treatment for this patient?

  1. St 36 (Zusanli), Sp 3 (Taibai), CV (Ren) 12 (Zhongwan), UB 20 (Pishu), and UB 21 (Weishu)
  2. Lu 9 (Taiyuan), St 36 (Zusanli), and CV (Ren) 6 (Qihai)
  3. CV (Ren) 4 (Guanyuan), Liv 8 (Ququan), Sp 6 (Sanyinjiao), and St 36 (Zusanli)
  4. Liv 3 (Taichong), Liv 8 (Ququan), Sp 6 (Sanyinjiao), K 3 (Taixi), and CV (Ren) 4 (Guanyuan)

50. After three treatments for constipation, a patient presents for a fourth session complaining of dull epigastric pain that improves with pressure and the application of heat, fatigue, poor appetite, and loose stools. The patient has a pale complexion, a deep and weak pulse, and a pale tongue with a white coating. What is the most appropriate treatment for this patient?

  1. P 6 (Neiguan), Liv 14 (Qimen), CV (Ren) 12 (Zhongwan), and GB 34 (Yanglingquan)
  2. St 21 (Liangmen), St 34 (Liangqiu), Sp 4 (Gongsun), and CV (Ren) 13 (Shangwan)
  3. CV (Ren) 12 (Zhongwan), St 36 (Zusanli), CV (Ren) 6 (Qihai), UB 20 (Pishu), UB 21 (Weishu), and P 6 (Neiguan)
  4. Liv 2 (Xingjian), Liv 14 (Qimen), St 21 (Liangmen), St 44 (Neiting), and GB 34 (Yanglingquan)

NCCAOM Acupuncture Board Sample Test 3 – Answer Key

1. A

2. B

3. B

4. D

5. A

6. D

7. B

8. B

9. B

10. D

11. C

12. C

13. A

14. A

15. C

16. C

17. A

18. B

19. C

20. D

21. B

22. D

23. B

24. B

25. D

26. B

27. C

28. C

29. D

30. D

31. B

32. B

33. C

34. D

35. A

36. C

37. A

38. C

39. B

40. C

41. D

42. C

43. A

44. C

45. A

46. A

47. B

48. D

49. A

50. C