CNT Clean Technique Actual Exam
(2026–2027)
100 Questions with Correct Answers &
Detailed Rationales
Section 1: Clean Technique
Fundamentals & Core Concepts
(Questions 1–15)
1. What is the primary purpose of Clean Needle Technique (CNT)?
A. To eliminate all microorganisms from the treatment room
B. To reduce the risk of spreading infection from patient to patient, from patient to
practitioner, or from practitioner to patient
C. To sterilize acupuncture needles before use
D. To replace standard precautions in the clinical setting
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CNT is designed to reduce the risk of infection transmission in all directions —
patient-to-patient, patient-to-practitioner, and practitioner-to-patient. It is not about
eliminating all microorganisms (that is sterilization) or replacing standard precautions .
2. What are the five essential steps of Clean Needle Technique that must be followed in all
acupuncture settings?
A. Wash hands, set up clean field, use single-use needles, isolate used sharps, follow
standard precautions
B. Sterilize needles, wear sterile gloves, clean the room, dispose of waste, document
procedure
C. Wash hands, wear gloves, use alcohol swabs, insert needles, remove needles
D. Set up sterile field, use sterile gloves, use sterile drapes, sterilize skin, dispose of sharps
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The five CNT steps are: (1) Wash hands, (2) Set up a clean field, (3) Only use
single-use disposable needles, (4) Immediately isolate used sharps, and (5) Follow standard
precautions .
3. Define "clean field" in the context of acupuncture practice.
,A. A sterile area where all microorganisms have been eliminated
B. A section of work surface, including the skin of and surrounding the targeted acupoint,
prepared to manage acupuncture equipment to protect needle sterility
C. The entire treatment room after routine cleaning
D. A field created only with sterile drapes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A clean field is a section of a work surface, including the skin of and surrounding
the targeted acupoint, that has been prepared to manage acupuncture equipment in a way
that protects the sterility of acupuncture needles. It is not a sterile field .
4. True or False: A clean field can only be created using a clean paper towel.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: B (False)
Rationale: A clean field can be created using various clean barriers including paper towels,
cloth drapes, or dedicated treatment trays. The key is that the barrier is clean and used
appropriately .
5. Is the patient's skin (after preparation) considered part of the clean field?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Only for deep needling
D. Only if chlorhexidine is used
Correct Answer: A (Yes)
Rationale: The patient's skin that has been prepared/cleaned prior to needling is part of the
clean field. The skin and surrounding area are prepared to protect the sterility of the needle
during insertion .
6. What is the standard product for skin preparation prior to needle insertion in
acupuncture practice?
A. Chlorhexidine
B. Hydrogen peroxide
C. Isopropyl alcohol
D. Betadine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Isopropyl alcohol is the standard product for skin preparation prior to needle
insertion. Chlorhexidine is not the standard for acupuncture needling .
, 7. For shallow/intradermal needling, must you always clean the skin prior to needle
insertion?
A. Yes, always
B. No, skin prep may be waived for very shallow, temporary techniques, but the needle must
still be sterile and single-use
C. Only if the patient requests it
D. Only if the skin is visibly dirty
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CNT guidelines state that for very shallow, temporary techniques, skin prep may
be waived, but the needle must still be sterile and single-use. Standard needling requires
skin preparation .
8. Can you remove and reinsert a needle from the skin as long as it is reinserted in the
same point?
A. Yes, if the needle is still sterile
B. Yes, if less than 30 seconds have passed
C. No, once a needle has been inserted and removed, it is considered contaminated
D. Yes, for shallow needling only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Once a needle has been inserted and removed, it is considered contaminated and
must not be reinserted. The needle must be disposed of in a sharps container .
9. What is the difference between sterilization and disinfection?
A. Sterilization destroys all microbial life; disinfection reduces the number of microbes on
inanimate objects
B. Sterilization reduces microbes; disinfection eliminates all microbes
C. They are the same process
D. Sterilization is for skin; disinfection is for tools
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sterilization is the process of destroying ALL microbial life (including viruses) via
sterilants or sterilizing methods. Disinfection is the process that REDUCES the number of
microbes on inanimate objects. Disinfected objects are considered "clean" .
10. What are antiseptics used for?
A. Cleaning tools and equipment
B. Reducing microbes on living tissue (patients and practitioners)
C. Sterilizing needles
D. Disinfecting countertops
(2026–2027)
100 Questions with Correct Answers &
Detailed Rationales
Section 1: Clean Technique
Fundamentals & Core Concepts
(Questions 1–15)
1. What is the primary purpose of Clean Needle Technique (CNT)?
A. To eliminate all microorganisms from the treatment room
B. To reduce the risk of spreading infection from patient to patient, from patient to
practitioner, or from practitioner to patient
C. To sterilize acupuncture needles before use
D. To replace standard precautions in the clinical setting
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CNT is designed to reduce the risk of infection transmission in all directions —
patient-to-patient, patient-to-practitioner, and practitioner-to-patient. It is not about
eliminating all microorganisms (that is sterilization) or replacing standard precautions .
2. What are the five essential steps of Clean Needle Technique that must be followed in all
acupuncture settings?
A. Wash hands, set up clean field, use single-use needles, isolate used sharps, follow
standard precautions
B. Sterilize needles, wear sterile gloves, clean the room, dispose of waste, document
procedure
C. Wash hands, wear gloves, use alcohol swabs, insert needles, remove needles
D. Set up sterile field, use sterile gloves, use sterile drapes, sterilize skin, dispose of sharps
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The five CNT steps are: (1) Wash hands, (2) Set up a clean field, (3) Only use
single-use disposable needles, (4) Immediately isolate used sharps, and (5) Follow standard
precautions .
3. Define "clean field" in the context of acupuncture practice.
,A. A sterile area where all microorganisms have been eliminated
B. A section of work surface, including the skin of and surrounding the targeted acupoint,
prepared to manage acupuncture equipment to protect needle sterility
C. The entire treatment room after routine cleaning
D. A field created only with sterile drapes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A clean field is a section of a work surface, including the skin of and surrounding
the targeted acupoint, that has been prepared to manage acupuncture equipment in a way
that protects the sterility of acupuncture needles. It is not a sterile field .
4. True or False: A clean field can only be created using a clean paper towel.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: B (False)
Rationale: A clean field can be created using various clean barriers including paper towels,
cloth drapes, or dedicated treatment trays. The key is that the barrier is clean and used
appropriately .
5. Is the patient's skin (after preparation) considered part of the clean field?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Only for deep needling
D. Only if chlorhexidine is used
Correct Answer: A (Yes)
Rationale: The patient's skin that has been prepared/cleaned prior to needling is part of the
clean field. The skin and surrounding area are prepared to protect the sterility of the needle
during insertion .
6. What is the standard product for skin preparation prior to needle insertion in
acupuncture practice?
A. Chlorhexidine
B. Hydrogen peroxide
C. Isopropyl alcohol
D. Betadine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Isopropyl alcohol is the standard product for skin preparation prior to needle
insertion. Chlorhexidine is not the standard for acupuncture needling .
, 7. For shallow/intradermal needling, must you always clean the skin prior to needle
insertion?
A. Yes, always
B. No, skin prep may be waived for very shallow, temporary techniques, but the needle must
still be sterile and single-use
C. Only if the patient requests it
D. Only if the skin is visibly dirty
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CNT guidelines state that for very shallow, temporary techniques, skin prep may
be waived, but the needle must still be sterile and single-use. Standard needling requires
skin preparation .
8. Can you remove and reinsert a needle from the skin as long as it is reinserted in the
same point?
A. Yes, if the needle is still sterile
B. Yes, if less than 30 seconds have passed
C. No, once a needle has been inserted and removed, it is considered contaminated
D. Yes, for shallow needling only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Once a needle has been inserted and removed, it is considered contaminated and
must not be reinserted. The needle must be disposed of in a sharps container .
9. What is the difference between sterilization and disinfection?
A. Sterilization destroys all microbial life; disinfection reduces the number of microbes on
inanimate objects
B. Sterilization reduces microbes; disinfection eliminates all microbes
C. They are the same process
D. Sterilization is for skin; disinfection is for tools
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sterilization is the process of destroying ALL microbial life (including viruses) via
sterilants or sterilizing methods. Disinfection is the process that REDUCES the number of
microbes on inanimate objects. Disinfected objects are considered "clean" .
10. What are antiseptics used for?
A. Cleaning tools and equipment
B. Reducing microbes on living tissue (patients and practitioners)
C. Sterilizing needles
D. Disinfecting countertops
