Diagnosis and Treatment Planning Flashcards

A patient presents with a pale, swollen tongue with teeth marks on the edges. Which pattern does this most strongly suggest?

Answer: Spleen Qi deficiency with dampness

Scalloped edges on a pale, swollen tongue reflect Spleen Qi failing to transform fluids, leading to dampness.

A pulse that feels taut like a guitar string is classically associated with which condition?

Answer: Liver disharmony or pain

The wiry (Xian) pulse is characteristic of Liver disorders, pain, and phlegm-fluid retention.

Afternoon tidal fever, night sweats, and a feeling of heat in the palms and soles most likely indicate:

Answer: Yin deficiency

Five-palm heat, tidal fever, and night sweats are hallmark signs of Yin deficiency producing empty heat.

In treatment planning, when is it appropriate to treat the branch (Biao) before the root (Ben)?

Answer: When acute symptoms are severe or life-threatening

Acute, urgent manifestations such as severe pain or urinary retention are addressed first before the underlying root.

A thick, yellow, greasy tongue coating most commonly indicates:

Answer: Damp-heat

Yellow color indicates heat while a greasy texture indicates dampness or phlegm.

A choppy (Se) pulse that feels rough and uneven is most associated with:

Answer: Blood stasis or blood deficiency

The choppy pulse reflects impeded or insufficient blood flow, as in blood stasis or blood deficiency.

When developing a treatment plan for a pregnant patient, which point combination is traditionally contraindicated?

Answer: LI4 and SP6

LI4 and SP6 are traditionally forbidden in pregnancy because they may promote labor.