Western Biomedical Concepts for Acupuncturists Flashcards

After a needlestick injury, which bloodborne pathogen carries the highest transmission risk to an unvaccinated practitioner?

Answer: Hepatitis B

HBV transmission risk after a needlestick can reach about 30%, far higher than HCV (about 1.8%) or HIV (about 0.3%).

What is the first thing a practitioner should do after an accidental needlestick with a used needle?

Answer: Wash the site with soap and water

CDC guidance is to wash the site immediately with soap and water, then report the exposure and seek post-exposure evaluation.

Anaphylaxis is which type of hypersensitivity reaction, and which antibody mediates it?

Answer: Type I, mediated by IgE

Type I (immediate) hypersensitivity is IgE-mediated and causes mast cell degranulation and anaphylaxis.

Which feature best distinguishes rheumatoid arthritis from osteoarthritis?

Answer: Symmetric small-joint involvement with morning stiffness over one hour

RA is a systemic autoimmune disease that causes symmetric small-joint inflammation with prolonged morning stiffness, while OA stiffness usually lasts under 30 minutes.

A patient has periumbilical pain that has moved to the right lower quadrant, with fever and rebound tenderness. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Answer: Appendicitis

Pain that migrates to McBurney's point with fever and rebound tenderness is classic for appendicitis and needs emergency referral.

Which serum marker is the most specific for myocardial injury in suspected heart attack?

Answer: Troponin

Cardiac troponin I or T is highly specific for myocardial necrosis and is the preferred biomarker for MI.

Which nerve roots form the brachial plexus?

Answer: C5-T1

The brachial plexus comes from the ventral rami of C5 through T1 and supplies the upper limb.