NBCE Acupuncture Exam
1. According to the Five Elements theory, which element controls Earth?
A. Metal
B. Fire
C. Wood
D. Water
Answer: D. Water
Rationale: Water controls Fire; Fire controls Metal; Metal controls Wood; Wood
controls Earth; Earth controls Water (Control/Ke cycle).
2. Which organ is associated with storing blood and ensuring smooth flow of Qi?
A. Heart
B. Spleen
C. Liver
D. Lung
Answer: C. Liver
Rationale: The Liver stores blood and ensures smooth flow of Qi and emotions.
3. The Spleen’s main physiological function is to:
A. Govern Qi and respiration
B. Control water metabolism
C. Transform and transport food essence
D. Store Jing (essence)
Answer: C. Transform and transport food essence
Rationale: The Spleen transforms food into Qi and blood and transports nutrients
throughout the body.
,4. The “Sea of Qi” refers to which acupuncture point?
A. CV 6 (Qihai)
B. ST 36 (Zusanli)
C. GV 4 (Mingmen)
D. BL 17 (Geshu)
Answer: A. CV 6 (Qihai)
Rationale: CV 6 is called the “Sea of Qi” and tonifies Qi and Yang.
5. A patient presents with dizziness, blurred vision, and numbness in the limbs.
Tongue is pale, pulse is thin. What is the diagnosis?
A. Liver Qi stagnation
B. Liver Blood deficiency
C. Phlegm-Damp retention
D. Yin deficiency
Answer: B. Liver Blood deficiency
Rationale: Classic symptoms of deficient Liver Blood include dizziness, blurred vision,
and numbness.
Section 2: Acupuncture Points and Channels
6. Which meridian connects with the brain and is called the “Sea of Yang meridians”?
A. Governing Vessel (Du Mai)
B. Conception Vessel (Ren Mai)
C. Penetrating Vessel (Chong Mai)
D. Belt Vessel (Dai Mai)
Answer: A. Governing Vessel (Du Mai)
7. ST 36 (Zusanli) is located:
A. 3 cun below ST 35, one finger-breadth lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia
B. 3 cun above ST 41, on the dorsum of the foot
C. 1 cun below the patella, lateral to the tibial crest
, D. In the popliteal crease
Answer: A. 3 cun below ST 35, one finger-breadth lateral to the anterior crest of the
tibia
8. Which point is best for treating night sweating due to Yin deficiency?
A. HT 6 (Yinxi)
B. SP 6 (Sanyinjiao)
C. KD 7 (Fuliu)
D. LU 7 (Lieque)
Answer: A. HT 6 (Yinxi)
Rationale: HT 6 nourishes Heart Yin and stops night sweating.
9. The Luo-Connecting point of the Lung meridian is:
A. LU 7 (Lieque)
B. LU 9 (Taiyuan)
C. LU 5 (Chize)
D. LU 10 (Yuji)
Answer: A. LU 7 (Lieque)
10. Which point is known as the “Command point of the abdomen”?
A. ST 36 (Zusanli)
B. ST 25 (Tianshu)
C. LI 4 (Hegu)
D. BL 18 (Ganshu)
Answer: B. ST 25 (Tianshu)
Section 3: Diagnosis and Differentiation
11. A red tongue with yellow coating and a rapid pulse suggests:
A. Cold pattern
B. Heat pattern
C. Qi deficiency
1. According to the Five Elements theory, which element controls Earth?
A. Metal
B. Fire
C. Wood
D. Water
Answer: D. Water
Rationale: Water controls Fire; Fire controls Metal; Metal controls Wood; Wood
controls Earth; Earth controls Water (Control/Ke cycle).
2. Which organ is associated with storing blood and ensuring smooth flow of Qi?
A. Heart
B. Spleen
C. Liver
D. Lung
Answer: C. Liver
Rationale: The Liver stores blood and ensures smooth flow of Qi and emotions.
3. The Spleen’s main physiological function is to:
A. Govern Qi and respiration
B. Control water metabolism
C. Transform and transport food essence
D. Store Jing (essence)
Answer: C. Transform and transport food essence
Rationale: The Spleen transforms food into Qi and blood and transports nutrients
throughout the body.
,4. The “Sea of Qi” refers to which acupuncture point?
A. CV 6 (Qihai)
B. ST 36 (Zusanli)
C. GV 4 (Mingmen)
D. BL 17 (Geshu)
Answer: A. CV 6 (Qihai)
Rationale: CV 6 is called the “Sea of Qi” and tonifies Qi and Yang.
5. A patient presents with dizziness, blurred vision, and numbness in the limbs.
Tongue is pale, pulse is thin. What is the diagnosis?
A. Liver Qi stagnation
B. Liver Blood deficiency
C. Phlegm-Damp retention
D. Yin deficiency
Answer: B. Liver Blood deficiency
Rationale: Classic symptoms of deficient Liver Blood include dizziness, blurred vision,
and numbness.
Section 2: Acupuncture Points and Channels
6. Which meridian connects with the brain and is called the “Sea of Yang meridians”?
A. Governing Vessel (Du Mai)
B. Conception Vessel (Ren Mai)
C. Penetrating Vessel (Chong Mai)
D. Belt Vessel (Dai Mai)
Answer: A. Governing Vessel (Du Mai)
7. ST 36 (Zusanli) is located:
A. 3 cun below ST 35, one finger-breadth lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia
B. 3 cun above ST 41, on the dorsum of the foot
C. 1 cun below the patella, lateral to the tibial crest
, D. In the popliteal crease
Answer: A. 3 cun below ST 35, one finger-breadth lateral to the anterior crest of the
tibia
8. Which point is best for treating night sweating due to Yin deficiency?
A. HT 6 (Yinxi)
B. SP 6 (Sanyinjiao)
C. KD 7 (Fuliu)
D. LU 7 (Lieque)
Answer: A. HT 6 (Yinxi)
Rationale: HT 6 nourishes Heart Yin and stops night sweating.
9. The Luo-Connecting point of the Lung meridian is:
A. LU 7 (Lieque)
B. LU 9 (Taiyuan)
C. LU 5 (Chize)
D. LU 10 (Yuji)
Answer: A. LU 7 (Lieque)
10. Which point is known as the “Command point of the abdomen”?
A. ST 36 (Zusanli)
B. ST 25 (Tianshu)
C. LI 4 (Hegu)
D. BL 18 (Ganshu)
Answer: B. ST 25 (Tianshu)
Section 3: Diagnosis and Differentiation
11. A red tongue with yellow coating and a rapid pulse suggests:
A. Cold pattern
B. Heat pattern
C. Qi deficiency
