CNT Written Exam Version 3 | Latest Update 2026/2027 |
200+ Practice Questions and Detailed Answers with Rationales
| Complete Q&A Guide | A+ Graded
1. To reduce the risk of pneumothorax, needles inserted in points on the upper back and chest sh ould
be:
A. Inserted perpendicularly
B. Inserted up to the handle
C. Inserted obliquely
D. Inserted at a 90degree angle
Answer: C
Rationale: Oblique insertion reduces the risk of penetrating the pleural cavity and causing
pneumothorax. Needling perpendicularly in the chest and upper back areas increases the risk of lung
puncture.
2. Washing your hands immediately before needle insertion is a critical step in clean needle technique.
A. True
B. False
Answer: A
Rationale: Hand hygiene immediately before needling is essential to prevent transmission of pathogens
to the patient. It is one of the five core steps of CNT.
3. Pneumothorax occurs at a rate of approximately 1 per 1,000 acupuncture visits in the US.
A. True
,B. False
Answer: B
Rationale: Pneumothorax is actually much rarer than 1 per 1,000 visits. Severe adverse events from
acupuncture are very rare overall.
4. Severe adverse events to acupuncture needling are very rare.
A. True
B. False
Answer: A
Rationale: In competent hands, acupuncture is generally a very safe procedure with few serious
complications.
5. Insertion site pain may occur because alcohol was not allowed to dry before needle insertion.
A. True
B. False
Answer: A
Rationale: Alcohol that has not fully dried can cause stinging and pain upon needle insertion. The alcohol
should be allowed to evaporate completely.
6. Someone taking anticoagulant medications should never be needled because the risk of bleeding is
too high.
,A. True
B. False
Answer: B
Rationale: While caution is needed, patients on anticoagulants are not absolutely contraindicated for
acupuncture. The practitioner should use careful technique and consider reducing needle dept h.
7. Needles from multipacks can be used for more than one patient as long as they are used within 30
minutes of opening the packaging.
A. True
B. False
Answer: B
Rationale: Singleuse disposable needles must never be used for more than one patient. Once a needle
package is opened, needles should only be used for that specific patient.
8. CNT requires that new table paper and new table drapes/sheets (if used) are replaced for every
patient visit.
A. True
B. False
Answer: A
Rationale: New table paper and drapes must be used for each patient to maintain a clean field and
prevent crosscontamination.
, 9. An important consideration when using moxa is to have sufficient room ventilation.
A. True
B. False
Answer: A
Rationale: Moxa produces smoke that can be irritating to the respiratory system. Adequate ventilation is
essential for patient and practitioner safety.
10. Important considerations in preventing burns from moxa include staying attentive to the patient
and preventing ash from falling onto the patient's skin or clothing.
A. True
B. False
Answer: A
Rationale: Constant attention and ash management are critical safety measures when performing
moxibustion to prevent burns.
11. The five steps of Clean Needle Technique are:
A. Wash hands, set up a clean field, only use singleuse disposable needles, immediately isolate used
sharps, follow standard precautions
B. Wash hands, wear gloves, use sterile needles, dispose in regular trash, clean the room
C. Sanitize hands, set up a sterile field, reuse needles after sterilization, follow standard precautions
D. Wash hands, set up a clean field, use reusable needles, follow standard precautions
Answer: A
200+ Practice Questions and Detailed Answers with Rationales
| Complete Q&A Guide | A+ Graded
1. To reduce the risk of pneumothorax, needles inserted in points on the upper back and chest sh ould
be:
A. Inserted perpendicularly
B. Inserted up to the handle
C. Inserted obliquely
D. Inserted at a 90degree angle
Answer: C
Rationale: Oblique insertion reduces the risk of penetrating the pleural cavity and causing
pneumothorax. Needling perpendicularly in the chest and upper back areas increases the risk of lung
puncture.
2. Washing your hands immediately before needle insertion is a critical step in clean needle technique.
A. True
B. False
Answer: A
Rationale: Hand hygiene immediately before needling is essential to prevent transmission of pathogens
to the patient. It is one of the five core steps of CNT.
3. Pneumothorax occurs at a rate of approximately 1 per 1,000 acupuncture visits in the US.
A. True
,B. False
Answer: B
Rationale: Pneumothorax is actually much rarer than 1 per 1,000 visits. Severe adverse events from
acupuncture are very rare overall.
4. Severe adverse events to acupuncture needling are very rare.
A. True
B. False
Answer: A
Rationale: In competent hands, acupuncture is generally a very safe procedure with few serious
complications.
5. Insertion site pain may occur because alcohol was not allowed to dry before needle insertion.
A. True
B. False
Answer: A
Rationale: Alcohol that has not fully dried can cause stinging and pain upon needle insertion. The alcohol
should be allowed to evaporate completely.
6. Someone taking anticoagulant medications should never be needled because the risk of bleeding is
too high.
,A. True
B. False
Answer: B
Rationale: While caution is needed, patients on anticoagulants are not absolutely contraindicated for
acupuncture. The practitioner should use careful technique and consider reducing needle dept h.
7. Needles from multipacks can be used for more than one patient as long as they are used within 30
minutes of opening the packaging.
A. True
B. False
Answer: B
Rationale: Singleuse disposable needles must never be used for more than one patient. Once a needle
package is opened, needles should only be used for that specific patient.
8. CNT requires that new table paper and new table drapes/sheets (if used) are replaced for every
patient visit.
A. True
B. False
Answer: A
Rationale: New table paper and drapes must be used for each patient to maintain a clean field and
prevent crosscontamination.
, 9. An important consideration when using moxa is to have sufficient room ventilation.
A. True
B. False
Answer: A
Rationale: Moxa produces smoke that can be irritating to the respiratory system. Adequate ventilation is
essential for patient and practitioner safety.
10. Important considerations in preventing burns from moxa include staying attentive to the patient
and preventing ash from falling onto the patient's skin or clothing.
A. True
B. False
Answer: A
Rationale: Constant attention and ash management are critical safety measures when performing
moxibustion to prevent burns.
11. The five steps of Clean Needle Technique are:
A. Wash hands, set up a clean field, only use singleuse disposable needles, immediately isolate used
sharps, follow standard precautions
B. Wash hands, wear gloves, use sterile needles, dispose in regular trash, clean the room
C. Sanitize hands, set up a sterile field, reuse needles after sterilization, follow standard precautions
D. Wash hands, set up a clean field, use reusable needles, follow standard precautions
Answer: A
