Zang-Fu Pattern Differentiation Flashcards

A patient has loose stools, fatigue, poor appetite, cold limbs, and a cold sensation in the abdomen relieved by warmth. The tongue is pale and swollen with a white coat; the pulse is deep and weak. Which pattern does this represent?

Answer: Spleen Yang Deficiency

Spleen Yang Deficiency includes all Spleen Qi Deficiency signs plus cold manifestations such as cold limbs and abdominal coldness relieved by warmth.

Which tongue and pulse presentation best characterizes Lung Qi Deficiency?

Answer: Pale tongue with thin white coat; weak pulse especially in the Lung position

Lung Qi Deficiency manifests with a pale tongue reflecting insufficient Qi to nourish, and a weak pulse in the right cun (Lung) position.

A patient presents with burning epigastric pain, intense thirst for cold drinks, hunger with no desire to eat, dry stools, bleeding gums, and a red tongue with dry yellow coat. The most accurate pattern is:

Answer: Stomach Fire

Stomach Fire is characterized by burning pain, intense thirst for cold drinks, gum issues, and a red tongue with yellow coat.

The primary distinguishing feature of the pattern 'Spleen not Controlling Blood' is:

Answer: Spontaneous bleeding from multiple sites accompanied by Spleen Qi deficiency signs

Spleen not Controlling Blood involves bleeding from various orifices (uterus, gums, skin) alongside fatigue, pale complexion, and other Spleen Qi deficiency signs.

Which presentation most accurately describes Phlegm-Heat obstructing the Lung?

Answer: Yellow sticky profuse sputum, fever, thirst, rapid slippery pulse

Phlegm-Heat in the Lung produces yellow sticky sputum, fever, thirst, and a slippery rapid pulse reflecting both phlegm and heat.

Which finding primarily differentiates Damp-Heat in the Spleen from simple Spleen Qi Deficiency?

Answer: Yellow greasy tongue coat with sensation of heaviness and fullness

A yellow greasy tongue coat confirms the heat and dampness component, distinguishing Damp-Heat in the Spleen from pure Spleen Qi Deficiency.

A patient has fever, sore throat, slight thirst, headache, floating rapid pulse, and a thin yellow tongue coat. The best pattern diagnosis is:

Answer: Wind-Heat invading the Lung

Wind-Heat invading the Lung presents with fever, sore throat, thirst, a floating rapid pulse, and thin yellow coat rather than the white coat seen with Wind-Cold.