AP Treatment Planning & Protocols 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the Eight Principles framework, which pattern presentation requires the most cautious application of tonification techniques?
- Deficiency-Cold
- Deficiency-Heat
- Excess-Cold
- Excess-Heat with pathogen (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Excess-Heat with pathogen
Tonification during Excess-Heat with pathogenic factor can strengthen the pathogen and worsen the condition, making it the most dangerous scenario for tonification.
Question 2: A patient with insomnia due to Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency would best benefit from which treatment approach?
- Strongly tonify Kidney Yang and calm the Shen
- Nourish Kidney Yin, clear Empty Heat, and anchor the Shen (Correct answer)
- Dispel Wind and resolve Phlegm blocking the Heart orifices
- Tonify Heart Qi and strengthen the Wei Qi
Correct answer: Nourish Kidney Yin, clear Empty Heat, and anchor the Shen
Heart-Kidney Yin Deficiency insomnia requires nourishing Yin to reduce Empty Heat and anchoring the Shen to restore the communication between Heart and Kidney.
Question 3: Which acupuncture point combination is most appropriate as the foundation for treating Wei Bi (flaccidity) syndrome?
- GB-34, ST-36, SP-10, LI-11 (Correct answer)
- GV-20, GV-14, BL-40, BL-57
- CV-4, CV-6, KD-3, SP-6
- LU-7, KD-6, ST-40, BL-20
Correct answer: GB-34, ST-36, SP-10, LI-11
Wei Bi treatment prioritizes the Yangming channels (ST-36, LI-11) combined with SP-10 to nourish sinews and GB-34 as the influential point for sinews.
Question 4: For a patient with Bell's palsy in the acute phase (first 1-2 weeks), what is the most appropriate needling strategy for the affected side?
- Dense needling with strong stimulation directly on affected facial muscles
- Superficial needling with gentle stimulation or no stimulation on affected side (Correct answer)
- No needling on affected side; treat only contralateral and distal points
- Deep needling to reach the facial nerve directly
Correct answer: Superficial needling with gentle stimulation or no stimulation on affected side
In acute Bell's palsy, superficial gentle needling on the affected side avoids overstimulation that could cause muscle spasm or worsen inflammation.
Question 5: When planning treatment for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), which point is most supported by clinical evidence?
- ST-36 (Zusanli)
- PC-6 (Neiguan) (Correct answer)
- CV-12 (Zhongwan)
- SP-4 (Gongsun)
Correct answer: PC-6 (Neiguan)
PC-6 (Neiguan) has the strongest clinical evidence base for treating nausea and vomiting including CINV, supported by multiple randomized controlled trials.
Question 6: A patient has been receiving acupuncture for 10 sessions with no improvement. According to evidence-based practice, what is the most appropriate action?
- Continue treatment for 10 more sessions before making a decision
- Critically reassess diagnosis, modify approach, or refer to another provider (Correct answer)
- Increase treatment frequency to daily sessions
- Add herbal medicine to continue the same protocol
Correct answer: Critically reassess diagnosis, modify approach, or refer to another provider
Lack of response after an appropriate trial period requires critical reassessment of diagnosis and treatment approach, or referral if the condition is beyond scope.
Question 7: In Japanese-style acupuncture, which assessment tool is most central to guiding treatment selection and monitoring progress?
- Tongue diagnosis
- Abdominal palpation (Hara diagnosis) (Correct answer)
- Pulse diagnosis at the wrist
- Meridian palpation for ashi points
Correct answer: Abdominal palpation (Hara diagnosis)
Hara (abdominal) palpation is the central diagnostic and outcome assessment tool in Japanese acupuncture styles, used before and after each treatment.
AP Treatment Planning & Protocols 3
In the Eight Principles framework, which pattern presentation requires the most cautious application of tonification techniques?