CNT Study Guide
Procedures to reduce AE for heat lamps Keep machine in working order - check for defects, do not use on children,
prevent moisture damage, always monitor patients with reduced sensation.
Adverse effects of electro acupuncture Faintness, hyperventilation, electrical injury, atrioventricular block, dislocation of
wrist joint due to muscle spasm.
Procedures to reduce AE for electro acupuncture Prevent moisture in the area, don't use if machine/leads are damaged, avoid using
silver or gold needles - only stainless steel, don't use needles with plastic handle,
avoid using estim in area of vagus nerve on neck, don't cross the spine or
brainstem, don't cross the heart, do not use in patients with implanted medical
devices/pacemakers.
General CNT procedure for therapeutic needling 1. Identify the general CNT procedure for therapeutic needling.
2. ID components of clean field
3. Know proper practitioner hand hygiene requirements in tx setting
4. Recognize requirements for skin prep before needling
5. Recognize skin afflictions that constitute contraindications to acupuncture and
adjunctive therapies
6. Recognize need for use of gloves and finger cots
7. ID steps for safe needle withdrawal
8. Recognize the required management of used sharps and other used equipment
9. Implement safety practices to prevent needles being left in a patient
10. ID variations of CNT protocol
11. Implement best practice protocols for
2. Components of the clean field Clean surface - used for needles and clean items for treatment - should be
changed after each treatment session/each patient.
3. Practitioner hand hygiene requirements Before treating patients, after touching skin of patient, between patients, after
needle removal.
4. Skin preparation requirements prior to needling Must be visibly clean - prior washing with soap and water OK, alcohol OK,
chlorohexidine wash OK.
5. Contraindications to acupuncture and adjunctive Anticoagulant medications - increase bruising; chronic pain - increased sensation
therapies of pain with needling; caffeine consumption - increased pain with needling.
6. Gloves and Finger Cots Used if exposure or potential exposure to blood, body fluids, OPIM, or if
practitioner has open wounds on hand which must be bandaged first.
, CNT Study Guide
7. Safe Needle Withdrawal Steps Close wound with clean and dry cotton ball, never use bare finger to cover
puncture site.
8. Management of Used Sharps or other used equipment Sharps must be disposed of in a hard box, leak proof, proper color (red), and
properly labeled.
Cleaning prior to disinfecting of contaminated reusable tools (cups, gua sha).
9. Implemented to prevent needles being left in a patient. Needle Count
10. CNT Protocol - Office Setting Clean dry and flat surface for clean field, wash hands 10-15 seconds with liquid
soap, don't touch shaft of needle, never reinsert a needle, removed needles
immediately put into sharps container.
10. CNT Protocol - Hospital Setting Wash hands on arrival, before leaving work, before eating, after restroom use,
and between patients; gloves should be worn if practitioner has open wound.
10. CNT Protocol - Public Health Setting Specific protocols for safety in public health settings.
10. CNT Protocol - Travel Setting Same requirements as office setting.
11. Acupuncture Needling Best Practices a. Acupuncture needling Best Practices (see Part III of Manual)
b. Moxibustion
c. Cupping
d. Bleeding
e. Heat lamps
f. Plum blossom/seven-star/cutaneous needling
Healthcare Associated Infections Infections that are associated with healthcare settings.
A.Blood Borne Viral Infections
B. Airborne Healthcare Infections
c. Specific infections reported to be associated with acupuncture and related
techniques
Autogenous Infections Self-generated infections where the pathogen is already present in the person.
Cross Infections Infections acquired from another person or the environment.
Procedures to reduce AE for heat lamps Keep machine in working order - check for defects, do not use on children,
prevent moisture damage, always monitor patients with reduced sensation.
Adverse effects of electro acupuncture Faintness, hyperventilation, electrical injury, atrioventricular block, dislocation of
wrist joint due to muscle spasm.
Procedures to reduce AE for electro acupuncture Prevent moisture in the area, don't use if machine/leads are damaged, avoid using
silver or gold needles - only stainless steel, don't use needles with plastic handle,
avoid using estim in area of vagus nerve on neck, don't cross the spine or
brainstem, don't cross the heart, do not use in patients with implanted medical
devices/pacemakers.
General CNT procedure for therapeutic needling 1. Identify the general CNT procedure for therapeutic needling.
2. ID components of clean field
3. Know proper practitioner hand hygiene requirements in tx setting
4. Recognize requirements for skin prep before needling
5. Recognize skin afflictions that constitute contraindications to acupuncture and
adjunctive therapies
6. Recognize need for use of gloves and finger cots
7. ID steps for safe needle withdrawal
8. Recognize the required management of used sharps and other used equipment
9. Implement safety practices to prevent needles being left in a patient
10. ID variations of CNT protocol
11. Implement best practice protocols for
2. Components of the clean field Clean surface - used for needles and clean items for treatment - should be
changed after each treatment session/each patient.
3. Practitioner hand hygiene requirements Before treating patients, after touching skin of patient, between patients, after
needle removal.
4. Skin preparation requirements prior to needling Must be visibly clean - prior washing with soap and water OK, alcohol OK,
chlorohexidine wash OK.
5. Contraindications to acupuncture and adjunctive Anticoagulant medications - increase bruising; chronic pain - increased sensation
therapies of pain with needling; caffeine consumption - increased pain with needling.
6. Gloves and Finger Cots Used if exposure or potential exposure to blood, body fluids, OPIM, or if
practitioner has open wounds on hand which must be bandaged first.
, CNT Study Guide
7. Safe Needle Withdrawal Steps Close wound with clean and dry cotton ball, never use bare finger to cover
puncture site.
8. Management of Used Sharps or other used equipment Sharps must be disposed of in a hard box, leak proof, proper color (red), and
properly labeled.
Cleaning prior to disinfecting of contaminated reusable tools (cups, gua sha).
9. Implemented to prevent needles being left in a patient. Needle Count
10. CNT Protocol - Office Setting Clean dry and flat surface for clean field, wash hands 10-15 seconds with liquid
soap, don't touch shaft of needle, never reinsert a needle, removed needles
immediately put into sharps container.
10. CNT Protocol - Hospital Setting Wash hands on arrival, before leaving work, before eating, after restroom use,
and between patients; gloves should be worn if practitioner has open wound.
10. CNT Protocol - Public Health Setting Specific protocols for safety in public health settings.
10. CNT Protocol - Travel Setting Same requirements as office setting.
11. Acupuncture Needling Best Practices a. Acupuncture needling Best Practices (see Part III of Manual)
b. Moxibustion
c. Cupping
d. Bleeding
e. Heat lamps
f. Plum blossom/seven-star/cutaneous needling
Healthcare Associated Infections Infections that are associated with healthcare settings.
A.Blood Borne Viral Infections
B. Airborne Healthcare Infections
c. Specific infections reported to be associated with acupuncture and related
techniques
Autogenous Infections Self-generated infections where the pathogen is already present in the person.
Cross Infections Infections acquired from another person or the environment.
