NCCAOM TCM Diagnostic Principles 3

Question 1

In TCM, a wiry (Xian) pulse is classically associated with which organ system or condition?

Accepted Answer

Liver/Gallbladder or pain

Answer

A wiry pulse feels taut like a guitar string and is associated with Liver/Gallbladder disorders, pain, or emotional stress.

Question 2

Which of the following tongue body characteristics indicates Yin deficiency?

Accepted Answer

Thin, red, and dry tongue with little or no coating

Answer

A thin, red, and dry tongue with scanty coating reflects insufficient Yin fluids failing to nourish the tongue body.

Question 3

In TCM Five-Element theory, which emotion is associated with the Metal element?

Accepted Answer

Grief/Sadness

Answer

Grief and sadness are the emotions associated with the Metal element and the Lung/Large Intestine organ pair.

Question 4

A patient reports that their pain is fixed in location, stabbing in nature, and worse at night. The TCM diagnosis is most likely:

Accepted Answer

Blood stasis

Answer

Fixed, stabbing pain that worsens at night is a hallmark presentation of Blood stasis in TCM diagnosis.

Question 5

Which TCM diagnostic principle describes the relationship between the Kidney and Liver in terms of Yin nourishment?

Accepted Answer

Liver and Kidney sharing the same source

Answer

The concept that 'Liver and Kidney share the same source' (tong yuan) describes how Kidney Yin nourishes Liver Yin and Blood.

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