NCCAOM Biomedicine and Diagnosis Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 58-year-old male with a 30-pack-year smoking history presents with a persistent, dry cough and new onset of dull, aching, unilateral shoulder pain unrelated to movement.
Auscultation reveals diminished breath sounds in the upper right lung.
What is the most appropriate course of action for the acupuncturist?

Accepted Answer

Refer the patient to their primary care physician for further evaluation and imaging.

Answer

Treat for Lung Yin Deficiency with local points for shoulder pain.

Answer

Needle LU1 (Zhongfu) and LI15 (Jianyu) to address the cough and pain.

Answer

Prescribe an herbal formula to resolve phlegm and stop the cough.

Question 2

A patient's lab report shows an elevated Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and low levels of free T4. The patient complains of fatigue, feeling cold, weight gain, and constipation. These findings are most consistent with which TCM pattern?

Accepted Answer

Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency

Answer

Heart Blood Deficiency

Answer

Liver Qi Stagnation

Answer

Stomach Fire

Question 3

During an examination for wrist pain and numbness in the first three fingers, a practitioner performs Phalen's test, which reproduces the patient's symptoms. This finding suggests compression of the median nerve, which corresponds most closely to the pathway of which channel?

Accepted Answer

Jueyin (Pericardium) Channel

Answer

Taiyin (Lung) Channel

Answer

Shaoyin (Heart) Channel

Answer

Yangming (Large Intestine) Channel

Question 4

A patient on long-term anticoagulant therapy (e.g., warfarin) presents for acupuncture. Which of the following is the most important safety consideration for the practitioner?

Accepted Answer

Deeper needling techniques should be avoided to minimize bleeding risk.

Answer

The patient's pulse will feel wiry due to the medication.

Answer

Only gold needles should be used for treatment.

Answer

The patient will likely have a very thin tongue coating.

Question 5

Which of the following physical examination findings is a key sign for differentiating Bell's Palsy from a central nervous system lesion like a stroke?

Accepted Answer

Inability to wrinkle the forehead on the affected side.

Answer

Drooping of the corner of the mouth on the affected side.

Answer

Asymmetrical smile.

Answer

Slurred speech (dysarthria).

Question 6

A 45-year-old patient complains of excessive thirst, frequent urination, increased appetite, and unexplained weight loss. The tongue is red with a dry, yellow coating. The practitioner should be most concerned about which underlying biomedical condition and recommend a referral?

Accepted Answer

Diabetes Mellitus

Answer

Hyperthyroidism

Answer

Cushing's Syndrome

Answer

Chronic Kidney Disease