Patient Assessment Flashcards
7 cards from real CAC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patient Assessment flashcards as text
Which pulse is felt clearly with light pressure but weakens or disappears with heavier pressure?
Answer: Floating (Fu)
A floating pulse is most prominent at the superficial level and typically indicates an exterior condition.
A patient's tongue is red with no coating and appears mirror-like. What does this indicate?
Answer: Severe Stomach and Kidney Yin Deficiency
A peeled, mirror-like red tongue reflects severe depletion of Yin, particularly of the Stomach and Kidneys.
Which finding should prompt an acupuncturist to withhold treatment and refer the patient for urgent medical care?
Answer: Chest pain radiating to the left arm with sweating and shortness of breath
Chest pain radiating to the arm with diaphoresis and dyspnea suggests a possible myocardial infarction requiring emergency care.
In the Eight Principles, a patient with chills predominant over fever, no sweating, body aches, and a floating tight pulse is best classified as:
Answer: Exterior, Cold, Excess
Acute chills, absence of sweating, and a floating tight pulse characterize an Exterior Wind-Cold Excess pattern.
A purple tongue body with distended, dark sublingual veins most strongly suggests:
Answer: Blood Stasis
Purple tongue color and engorged sublingual veins are hallmark signs of Blood Stasis.
Which characteristic of pain is most consistent with Blood Stasis?
Answer: Fixed, stabbing pain that is worse at night
Blood Stasis pain is typically fixed in location, stabbing or boring, and often worse at night.
Before beginning acupuncture, which item is required to be documented as part of standard patient intake in the United States?
Answer: Signed informed consent
Informed consent explaining risks, benefits, and alternatives must be obtained and documented before treatment.