Free NCCAOM Foundations of Oriental Medicine Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient presents with a chief complaint of seasonal allergies, which worsen in the spring. Symptoms include itchy eyes, irritability, and a wiry pulse. According to Five Element theory, which element is most likely in disharmony?

Accepted Answer

Wood

Answer

In Five Element theory, the Wood element is associated with the season of spring, the Liver and Gallbladder organs, the eyes, and the emotion of anger or irritability. A wiry pulse is also a classic sign of Liver Qi stagnation, which pertains to the Wood element. The symptoms described align perfectly with a disharmony in the Wood element.

Question 2

Which of the following is the primary function of Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi)?

Accepted Answer

To nourish the internal organs and produce Blood

Answer

Ying Qi, or Nutritive Qi, circulates within the blood vessels and meridians. Its principal roles are to provide deep nourishment to the Zang-Fu organs and the entire body, and it is the foundation for the formation of Blood. Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) protects the exterior, Yuan Qi (Original Qi) warms the organs, and the Spleen/Stomach are primarily responsible for transforming Gu Qi (Food Qi).

Question 3

According to the Six Stage (Shang Han Lun) theory of disease progression, a patient with high fever, profuse sweating, intense thirst, and a flooding pulse is exhibiting a pattern of which stage?

Accepted Answer

Yang Ming

Answer

The Yang Ming stage is characterized by interior excess heat. The classic signs are known as the 'Four Bigs': big fever, big sweat, big thirst, and a big (flooding) pulse. This indicates the pathogenic factor has penetrated from the exterior (Tai Yang) and transformed into heat in the interior, primarily affecting the Stomach and Large Intestine channels.

Question 4

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Zang organ responsible for storing Blood, ensuring the smooth flow of Qi, and housing the Hun (Ethereal Soul) is the:

Accepted Answer

Liver

Answer

The Liver is the Zang organ that performs these three key functions. It stores the Blood and releases it as needed for physical activity, ensures the smooth and free flow of Qi throughout the body to prevent stagnation, and it is the residence of the Hun (Ethereal Soul), which is related to planning, vision, and our sense of direction in life.

Question 5

A practitioner observes that a patient has a pale complexion, fatigue, poor appetite, and a tendency to bruise easily. Which Zang-Fu organ is most likely implicated in this pattern of disharmony?

Accepted Answer

Spleen

Answer

The Spleen in TCM is responsible for transforming and transporting Gu Qi (Food Qi) and is the source of post-natal Qi and Blood. A deficient Spleen leads to fatigue and poor appetite. Furthermore, the Spleen is responsible for 'holding' the Blood in the vessels; when this function is weak, it can result in easy bruising or other bleeding issues. A pale complexion reflects the resulting Blood deficiency.

(NCCAOM) National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Practice Test

(NCCAOM) National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Practice Test

Free NCCAOM Foundations of Oriental Medicine Questions and Answers