Practice Test Geeks(NCCAOM) National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Practice Test
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Biomedicine and Diagnosis Flashcards

7 cards from real NCCAOM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Biomedicine and Diagnosis flashcards as text

  1. Lhermitte's sign—an electric shock sensation radiating down the spine with neck flexion—is most associated with:

    Answer: Multiple sclerosis

    Lhermitte's sign occurs due to demyelination in the posterior cervical spinal cord and is a classic feature of multiple sclerosis, though not exclusive to it.

  2. A fasting blood glucose of 112 mg/dL on two separate occasions is classified as:

    Answer: Impaired fasting glucose (prediabetes)

    Impaired fasting glucose (prediabetes) is defined by fasting glucose of 100–125 mg/dL; 126 mg/dL or above on two occasions meets the threshold for diabetes.

  3. Asterixis (flapping tremor of outstretched hands) is classically associated with:

    Answer: Hepatic encephalopathy

    Asterixis is a non-rhythmic lapse in sustained posture caused by brief interruptions in motor tone, most classically seen in hepatic encephalopathy due to ammonia toxicity.

  4. Which auscultatory finding is characteristic of mitral stenosis?

    Answer: Opening snap followed by a mid-diastolic rumble

    Mitral stenosis produces an opening snap (stiff leaflet opening) followed by a low-pitched mid-diastolic rumble best heard at the apex with the bell of the stethoscope.

  5. In interpreting an arterial blood gas, a pH of 7.30, PaCO2 of 55 mmHg, and HCO3− of 26 mEq/L indicates:

    Answer: Respiratory acidosis (uncompensated)

    A low pH with elevated PaCO2 and normal HCO3− indicates acute (uncompensated) respiratory acidosis, where CO2 retention is the primary disturbance.

  6. Chvostek's sign—facial muscle twitching when tapping the facial nerve—indicates deficiency of which electrolyte?

    Answer: Calcium

    Chvostek's sign is a clinical indicator of hypocalcemia; low calcium increases neuronal excitability, causing spontaneous twitching when the facial nerve is percussed.

  7. A patient with sudden onset severe 'thunderclap' headache and photophobia should be immediately evaluated for:

    Answer: Subarachnoid hemorrhage

    A sudden, severe 'worst headache of life' is the classic presentation of subarachnoid hemorrhage from a ruptured cerebral aneurysm, a life-threatening emergency.