NCCAOM Chinese Herbology Formulas Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient presents with a sensation of something caught in their throat that they can neither swallow nor expel, a stuffy feeling in the chest, and a moist, white tongue coating with a wiry, slippery pulse. Which of the following formulas is most indicated for this presentation?

Accepted Answer

Ban Xia Hou Po Tang

Answer

Ban Xia Hou Po Tang is the classic formula for 'Plum-Pit Qi,' which is caused by the stagnation of Qi and Phlegm in the throat. The key symptoms are the subjective sensation of a foreign body in the throat, along with chest stuffiness and a tongue and pulse indicating phlegm and Qi stagnation. Xiao Chai Hu Tang treats Shao Yang syndrome, Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang treats phlegm-cold obstructing the Lungs with Kidney Yang deficiency, and Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang treats rebellious Stomach Qi due to Stomach deficiency and heat.

Question 2

A 40-year-old female patient complains of irritability, premenstrual breast tenderness, and flank pain. She reports feeling stressed and her symptoms worsen with emotional upset. Her pulse is wiry and her tongue has a normal color. Which formula is best suited to address the root of this patient's complaints?

Accepted Answer

Xiao Yao San

Answer

Xiao Yao San is the quintessential formula for Liver Qi Stagnation with underlying Liver Blood and Spleen Qi deficiency, a pattern commonly associated with stress, irritability, and PMS symptoms like breast tenderness. The wiry pulse is a classic sign of Liver Qi stagnation. Tao Hong Si Wu Tang is for blood stasis, Gui Pi Tang is for Heart and Spleen deficiencies, and Wen Jing Tang is for Chong and Ren channel deficiency-cold with blood stasis.

Question 3

Which of the following formulas is a foundational prescription for tonifying both Qi and Blood, and is created by combining Si Jun Zi Tang and Si Wu Tang?

Accepted Answer

Ba Zhen Tang

Answer

Ba Zhen Tang, or the 'Eight Treasure Decoction,' is formed by combining Si Jun Zi Tang (The Four Gentlemen Decoction) for tonifying Qi and Si Wu Tang (The Four Substances Decoction) for nourishing Blood. This makes it a primary formula for treating concurrent Qi and Blood deficiency. Shi Quan Da Bu Tang builds on Ba Zhen Tang by adding Huang Qi and Rou Gui to warm and tonify more strongly. Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang and Gui Pi Tang also address Qi and Blood but have different compositions and more specific indications.

Question 4

A patient presents with a sore lower back, dizziness, tinnitus, night sweats, and a dry mouth. The tongue is red with little coating, and the pulse is thready and rapid. This presentation is characteristic of Kidney Yin deficiency. What is the most appropriate base formula?

Accepted Answer

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan

Answer

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan is the classic and fundamental formula for nourishing the Yin of the Liver and Kidneys. Its indications directly match the patient's symptoms of sore back, dizziness, tinnitus, and heat signs from Yin deficiency like night sweats and a red tongue. Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan is for Kidney Yang deficiency. Zuo Gui Wan also tonifies Kidney Yin but is stronger and used for more severe deficiency. Da Bu Yin Wan is for Yin deficiency with vigorous fire.

Question 5

A practitioner is treating a patient with an exterior wind-cold condition characterized by fever and chills, headache, body aches, and a lack of sweating. The pulse is floating and tight. Which of the following formulas is the primary choice for this excess-type wind-cold invasion?

Accepted Answer

Ma Huang Tang

Answer

Ma Huang Tang is the representative formula for an exterior excess-type Wind-Cold attack, where cold is predominant and obstructs the Wei Qi. The key differentiating symptoms are the absence of sweating and a tight pulse, indicating the pores are closed and the pathogen is trapped. Gui Zhi Tang is for a deficiency-type wind-cold with sweating. Yin Qiao San and Sang Ju Yin are for wind-heat invasions.

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

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

NCCAOM Chinese Herbology Formulas Questions and Answers