NCCAOM Treatment Principles

Question 1

In TCM, what does the treatment principle 'zhèng zhì' (正治) mean?

Accepted Answer

Using remedies opposite in nature to the disease manifestations

Answer

Zheng zhi (orthodox treatment) uses remedies opposite in nature to the disease, such as using cold herbs to treat a heat condition.

Question 2

Which treatment priority applies when a patient has both an acute exterior condition and a chronic interior deficiency?

Accepted Answer

Treat the acute exterior condition first

Answer

When an exterior condition is acute, TCM principles dictate treating the branch (biao) first before returning to address the chronic interior root condition.

Question 3

The Five Element treatment principle 'tonify the mother' (虚则补其母) is based on which cycle?

Accepted Answer

The generating (相生) cycle

Answer

Tonifying the mother uses the generating (sheng) cycle, strengthening the generating element to support its deficient child element.

Question 4

Which treatment principle addresses Kidney Yin deficiency causing Liver Yang to rise?

Accepted Answer

Nourish Kidney Yin to anchor Liver Yang (yi shui han mu)

Answer

'Yi shui han mu' (nourish water to contain wood) treats the root Kidney Yin deficiency, which naturally anchors the rising Liver Yang.

Question 5

What is the correct treatment principle for an excess cold pattern (实寒证)?

Accepted Answer

Warm and dispel cold

Answer

Excess cold requires warming and dispersing (散寒) rather than tonifying, since the cold is excess in nature and not due to a deficiency.

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

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

NCCAOM Treatment Principles