CNT Written Exam – 2026 with
Accurate Solutions
Severe adverse events to acupuncture needling are very rare. - ANS-True
Pneumothorax occurs at a rate of approximately 1 per 1,000 acupuncture visits in the
US. - ANS-False
Insertion site pain may occur because alcohol was not allowed to dry before needle
insertion. - ANS-True
A contraindication for cupping is: - ANS-Over major arteries
Gua sha should not be used within 48 hours prior to chemotherapy. - ANS-True
Gloves and eye protection are used for which of the following procedures? - ANS-
Bleeding
The five (5) steps of Clean Needle Technique are: - ANS-Wash hands, set up a clean
field, only use single-use disposable needles, immediately isolate used sharps, follow
standard precautions.
If hands are visibly soiled: - ANS-Wash with soap and water.
You can remove and reinsert a needle from the skin as long as the needle is reinserted
in the same point. - ANS-False
Clean needle technique is only a recommendation for patient care. - ANS-False
The patient's skin that has been prepared/cleaned prior to needling is a part of the clean
field. - ANS-True
A clean field can only be created using a clean paper towel. - ANS-False
The best product for washing the skin prior to needle insertion is chlorhexidine. - ANS-
False
In the case of shallow/intradermal needling, you must always clean the skin prior to
needle insertion. - ANS-False
, It is OK to use a guide tube for multiple points on the same patient during one visit. -
ANS-True
It is best practice to place needles removed from the patient's skin in a stainless-steel
disposal tray before putting all the used needles in the sharps container so you can
ensure an accurate needle count. - ANS-False
The most extensively used PPE in the acupuncturist's office is: - ANS-Closed toed
shoes
Gloves must be used when there is any broken skin on the acupuncturist's hands. -
ANS-True
If assisting a dentist with oral pain control during a dental procedure, an acupuncturist
would need to use gloves, a procedure mask, and what other PPE? - ANS-Face shield
It is important to know how to properly put on and take off PPE. - ANS-True
Because needle removal includes exposure to blood occasionally, all acupuncturists
must wear gloves when removing needles. - ANS-False
The steps of Clean Needle Technique that MUST be followed in all acupuncture
settings are: 1) wash hands 2) use single-use needles 3) set up a clean field for each
patient visit 4) immediately isolate used sharps and 5): - ANS-5. Follow standard
procedures
In all acupuncture locations, a clean field, needles, and guide tubes can be used for: -
ANS-One patient only
In some settings, infection control requirements may be different than what is described
in the CNT Manual. - ANS-True
Because NADA protocol only involves ear needles, NADA practitioners can skip
handwashing or setting up a clean field for each patient when that is not convenient. -
ANS-False
In a group acupuncture setting it is OK to put used needles in a reusable container in a
central location, and then after the group of patients leave, the used needles can be
placed into the sharps container. - ANS-False
Standard of Care is defined as what a minimally competent clinician in the same field
with the same level of training would do in a similar situation. - ANS-True
Best practices need to be modified as new evidence in safety become available. - ANS-
True
Accurate Solutions
Severe adverse events to acupuncture needling are very rare. - ANS-True
Pneumothorax occurs at a rate of approximately 1 per 1,000 acupuncture visits in the
US. - ANS-False
Insertion site pain may occur because alcohol was not allowed to dry before needle
insertion. - ANS-True
A contraindication for cupping is: - ANS-Over major arteries
Gua sha should not be used within 48 hours prior to chemotherapy. - ANS-True
Gloves and eye protection are used for which of the following procedures? - ANS-
Bleeding
The five (5) steps of Clean Needle Technique are: - ANS-Wash hands, set up a clean
field, only use single-use disposable needles, immediately isolate used sharps, follow
standard precautions.
If hands are visibly soiled: - ANS-Wash with soap and water.
You can remove and reinsert a needle from the skin as long as the needle is reinserted
in the same point. - ANS-False
Clean needle technique is only a recommendation for patient care. - ANS-False
The patient's skin that has been prepared/cleaned prior to needling is a part of the clean
field. - ANS-True
A clean field can only be created using a clean paper towel. - ANS-False
The best product for washing the skin prior to needle insertion is chlorhexidine. - ANS-
False
In the case of shallow/intradermal needling, you must always clean the skin prior to
needle insertion. - ANS-False
, It is OK to use a guide tube for multiple points on the same patient during one visit. -
ANS-True
It is best practice to place needles removed from the patient's skin in a stainless-steel
disposal tray before putting all the used needles in the sharps container so you can
ensure an accurate needle count. - ANS-False
The most extensively used PPE in the acupuncturist's office is: - ANS-Closed toed
shoes
Gloves must be used when there is any broken skin on the acupuncturist's hands. -
ANS-True
If assisting a dentist with oral pain control during a dental procedure, an acupuncturist
would need to use gloves, a procedure mask, and what other PPE? - ANS-Face shield
It is important to know how to properly put on and take off PPE. - ANS-True
Because needle removal includes exposure to blood occasionally, all acupuncturists
must wear gloves when removing needles. - ANS-False
The steps of Clean Needle Technique that MUST be followed in all acupuncture
settings are: 1) wash hands 2) use single-use needles 3) set up a clean field for each
patient visit 4) immediately isolate used sharps and 5): - ANS-5. Follow standard
procedures
In all acupuncture locations, a clean field, needles, and guide tubes can be used for: -
ANS-One patient only
In some settings, infection control requirements may be different than what is described
in the CNT Manual. - ANS-True
Because NADA protocol only involves ear needles, NADA practitioners can skip
handwashing or setting up a clean field for each patient when that is not convenient. -
ANS-False
In a group acupuncture setting it is OK to put used needles in a reusable container in a
central location, and then after the group of patients leave, the used needles can be
placed into the sharps container. - ANS-False
Standard of Care is defined as what a minimally competent clinician in the same field
with the same level of training would do in a similar situation. - ANS-True
Best practices need to be modified as new evidence in safety become available. - ANS-
True
